A deeper look inside the forgotten history of the Manchaca Negro School.

Manchaca Negro School is one of the many forgotten negro schools of Austin and Travis County from the segregation era prior to racial integration in public schools in not just in Texas, but across America. In fact, Manchaca Negro School is one of the many forgotten schools Austin and Travis County.

Manchaca Negro School served the Manchaca community for over 80 years operating from 1873 to 1958 serving African American students living in Manchaca, Texas. The Manchaca School District and Travis County Public Schools (aka Travis County Common School District) operated this negro school. Manchaca Negro School was also known as Manchaca Colored School.


Manchaca Negro School was a one-room school building built out of cedar wood in 1873 during the 1872-1873 school term. The school would open in late 1873 serving African American students in Manchaca, Texas. Manchaca Negro School only went to the 7th grade. After 7th grade students dropped out of school to work in farms or continued school in Austin.

Manchaca School District deeded the land to Travis County on June 6, 1894. Travis County took control of said property that summer. This deed would give Travis County full mineral rights and ownership of land rights.

Mr. W. S. Groves served as teacher and principal for Manchaca Negro School in 1898. His wife Mrs. W. S. Grove served as a teacher here as well. (Ref: Texas School Journal, Volumes 16-17, 1898)

Adjacent to the site of this school was a Baptist church called St. Eli Baptist Church. This church served African Americans of Manchaca for over 80 years. Today St. Eli Baptist Church is long gone and is no longer extant. (Ref: I’m Proud to Know What I Know”: Oral Narratives of Life in Travis and Hays Counties, Texas, c. 1920s-1960s, Maria Franklin)


In the 1920s, Manchaca Negro School was renamed to Manchaca Colored School. This name would stay with this negro school for over 10 years. Manchaca Colored School would be renamed to its original name of Manchaca Negro School in 1942.

Manchaca Negro School had 40 students with an average daily attendance of 30 students during the 1934-1935 school year. There were 2 teachers for the 40 students on a 2:40 ratio. The cost per year was $1,360 with an average of $46.33 per student per year. The teachers taught students at this school for a period of 155 days and got paid for 8 months. Manchaca Negro School taught grades 1-7.

Manchaca Negro School closed down in 1951 during the 1951-1952 school year due to low attendance  “Popham said the Manchaca colored school will be dropped the next school year due to low attendance.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385940104/)

Once Manchaca Negro School closed down, Manchaca students had to take the bus to Buda to attend Antioch School, thus putting an end to Manchaca Negro School.

Manchaca School District abandoned the Manchaca Negro School in 1952. The building was left abandoned from 1952 to 1960. 1960 is when the Manchaca Negro School was demolished by the City of Manchaca. The property would remain vacant for over 20 years. (Ref: Travis County topographical map of 1960 online at NETR Historic Aerials)

Willia Hargis owned the land in 1961. The vacant land was deeded to Otis Hargis and Naomi Hargis on the date of July 24, 1968. The land was given back to Willa Hargis in 1970. This land remained vacant throughout most of the 20th century.


Otis Hargis sold the land on a warranty deed to Frank Maldonado in 1994. Frank Maldonado would take full control and ownership of this land. This land remained vacant throughout most of late the 20th century. (Ref: Travis County Deeds, Volume 12259, Page 1469)

Texas Tree Service rented the land from Frank Maldonado in 2011. The land was used as storage for their machinery and vehicles. Tree logs and various debris from plants that were cut down were stored on this property.

The Manchaca Onion Creek Historical Association dedicated a plaque to commemorate Manchaca Negro School in September 2016. Its plaque is located on the property of Slow Pokes Brisket Shack and African Delights. Slow Pokes Brisket Shack started renting the property from Frank Maldonado in 2016. Slow Pokes Brisket Shack and African Delights currently stand on the property and site of the former Manchaca Negro School. (Ref: Manchaca Onion Creek Historical Association)

The property and site of the former Manchaca Negro School is now owned by Frank Maldonado. (Ref: propaccess.traviscad.org/clientdb/Property.aspx?prop_id=351058)

Manchaca Negro School was located 737 FM 1626, Manchaca, Texas, US 78652.