Williamson Creek School is one of the many forgotten educational institutions of Austin/Travis County that have faded away with time. Williamson Creek School is one of the many rural schools of Texas that have been forgotten.
In 1901 during the 1900-1901 school term, a log cabin was constructed to be the building for Williamson Creek School on modern day South Congress Avenue less than a mile south of St. Elmo Road. Williamson Creek School was a “negro school” serving African American students in grades 1 through 11. These students lived in South Austin and the St. Elmo neighborhood. Another extra room with an equipped blackboard was added in 1908 during the 1908-1909 school term.
Records show from the Travis County Superintendent show that Williamson Creek School was already receiving county funds by 1912. (Ref: 1912 School Fund Accounts)
H. Bell was the superintendent for Williamson Creek School. The Travis County Schools Superintendent was responsible for seeing that rural schools got financial funds from the state. H. Bell was a county school superintendent. The Williamson Creek School had been a part of the St. Elmo School District from the beginning until 1937 when the St. Elmo School District was consolidated into Austin Public Schools (now Austin ISD). St. Elmo School District operated Williamson Creek School until being absorbed into Austin ISD.
Sometime in 1931 during the 1930-1931 school term is when Williamson Creek School became a 1-8 school only teaching grades 1 through 8. Students went LC Anderson High School to complete their high school education. In 1937 the school was consolidated into Austin ISD and students started Pleasant Hill School (Pleasant Hill Negro School) after plans to close Williamson Creek School by 1941 were announced. 1942 is when Williamson Creek School closed.
The whereabouts of the Williamson Creek School as to if the building was demolished or converted into a private residence is unknown. It is presently unknown if the school building for Williamson Creek School was demolished. What is known is that the school does not show up on the 1942 highway map for Travis County. That means the school had closed down by then.
Williamson Creek School could have been located on the 4600 block or 4700 block of South 1st Street hence the given name for this school. Based off a 1898 Travis County map, the Williamson Creek School was located at 4621 South 1st Street. However no wooden foundation or concrete foundation indicate the school existing at this location despite the school being shown to have been located on the right side of South 1st Street on the 1898 Travis County map.
Williamson Creek School was located at 4621 South 1st Street, Austin, Texas, US 78745.
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