One the date of March 12, 2014, Bob Ward and May Schmidt of Save Austin Cemeteries uncovered foundations of the long lost old Longview School building where Longview School was one located. Longview School was located inside the perimeter of Longview Cemetery.
Cleanup was performed at the 5 acre cemetery and park on Saturday, March 29, 2014. There are remains of old sections of fencing that were uncovered along with the remains of the Longview School.
Save Austin Cemeteries is currently involved in a project to document, protect and preserve Longview Cemetery located inside Longview Park located in southwest Austin, Texas. The project began with a request from Save Austin’s Cemeteries very own Dale Flatt to the city to secure and define the cemetery portion of the site and develop a long term preservation plan.
Both Longview Cemetery and Longview Park were donated to the city years ago and have been part of the city park system for many years now. The cemetery portion was never adequately defined and today the boundaries were encroached upon by trails near a basketball court. The concern was inadequate protection and definition.
Longview School was established on land owned by E.S. Berry and Nicholas Dawson. E.S. Berry donated 2 acres of land for educational purposes. Longview School opened in 1897 near Longview Cemetery. The school started appearing on maps in 1898. Travis County Common School District (Travis County Public Schools) operated the school from 1898 until 1922. Longview School was located where 7609 Longview Road is today. Longview School was also known as Longview Schoolhouse or Longview School House.
Although Longview School was a 1-10 school, Longview School primarily taught grades 1-8. Students left school upon graduating 10th grade. Most of its students were enrolled in grades 1 through 8.
Sadly Longview School was destroyed by a tornado in 1922. Two members of the Bargsley family were killed in the tornado. After the tornado, nothing was left of the Longview School. Longview School was never rebuilt. It was a total loss for the Longview community.
Instead of rebuilding the school, Travis County Public Schools sent its students to Manchaca School in Manchaca, Texas, St. Elmo School, or simply to Austin ISD schools.
Its foundation was the only structure remaining in 1923. Travis County Public Schools discontinued services for the school during the same year. At the same time, the school and cemetery became abandoned.
Both Longview Cemetery and Longview Park were donated to the city in 1985 and have been part of the city park system for many years now.
Patti Hansen of Travis County Historical Commission reported there were no Mexican-American schools (Mexican Schools) west of I-35. Many of the schools were north, south, and east of town. No Hispanic children are known to have attended Longview School.
Longview School and Longview Cemetery are located inside of modern day Longview Park. Today Longview Cemetery is one Austin’s forgotten cemeteries and is still one of Austin’s many cemeteries.
Longview School and Longview Cemetery are located at 7609 Longview Road, Austin, Texas, US 78745.
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