Exploring the history of Fort Prairie School in Austin, Texas.

Fort Prairie School is one of the many forgotten schools of Austin, Texas. Not too much history is known about this school. Only a small amounts of information regarding this school has been archived in newspapers and documentation. Fort Prairie School is also one of the many forgotten colored schools of Austin and Travis County. This news article will explain and explore the history behind Fort Prairie School.

Peter Bell deeded a tract of land called the Theilepape tract to Travis County and the City of Austin for a school for black children in the year of 1863. Fort Prairie School was established as a long rectangular log cabin on Webberville Road in 1864 on a tract of land owned by Peter Bell off Webberville Road. This school was located on the Theilepape tract which was also known as the School tract which he later deeded as a black church called Peterville Church. The School tract was part of Peter Bell’s property at one point. The school was expanded in 1867. Fort Prairie School was part of the freedmen's community Fort Prairie.

 

Fort Prairie School was a part of School District #212 and had 82 colored students in 1888. So by the late 1880s, Fort Prairie School had its own school district and had a student population of close to 100 students.(Ref: https://archive.org/stream/20171211TCHCTravisCountyAudubonBlairWoodsSanctuaryTripReport/Travis%20Audubon%20Blair%20Woods%2C%20TCHC%20working%20paper_djvu.txt)

Mss Mary McRunnels was listed as being in charge of Fort Prairie School in 1896. She was the principal and headteacher. (Ref: Texas School Journal, Volume 14)


An article from the Austin Statesman dating back to 1910 describes Fort Prairie School as “the colored institute”. This meant Fort Prairie School was a well established and organized colored school. (Ref: Austin Statesman, CAMPAIGN FOR MORALITY: COLORED TEACHER WILL INCULCATE VIRTUE, October 28, 1910)

“Promptly at 9 o’clock yesterday morning, President J. F. Dawkins called the colored institute to order ... The Fort Prairie school is doing real and practical work in agriculture. They have been raising for the last few years an excellent variety of vegetables and the children have raised enough to supply the home. W.M. Lee's school at Fort Prairie is the model colored school of Travis county. He Is not talking things, but is doing things.”..., 

Now exactly when this school was closed and annexed to Austin ISD is currently unknown. What is known is that the school is long gone.

Fort Prairie School was located on Webberville Road, Austin, Texas, US 78722.