History of Manchaca Mexican School in Manchaca, Texas explored.

Manchaca Mexican School is one of the many forgotten Mexican schools of Manchaca, Austin, and Travis County from the segregation era prior to racial integration in public schools in not just in Texas, but across America. This news article will explain and examine the history behind Manchaca Mexican School.

Manchaca Mexican School constructed and opened in 1917 by the Manchaca Common School District on Polk Road. This school was geared towards teaching Hispanic students. Yet some Hispanic students attended Manchaca White School which was the former Manchaca School on FM 1626. Manchaca Mexican School was a 1-6 school that did not teach students past the 6th grade.

Manchaca Mexican School was re-constructed in 1926 north of FM 1626 along the I & GN Railroad further up on Polk Road, just south of Slaughter Creek. By then the community of Manchaca operated 1 of 12 schools for Hispanic students in Travis County during the 20th century. (Ref: https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/historical_commission/Doc/Histroical_Reports/mexican-american-settlement-survey_report.pdf)

In 1932, county superintendent Mrs. George R. Felter reported that there was a local school tax of 75 cents per year of which 17 cents is a bond tax for Manchaca Mexican School and the Manchaca Common School District. She also stated there were Mrs. Felter said that there are three schools in the Manchaca community, one for white students, one for Mexicans, and one for negroes. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385751996/)

The Austin American newspaper reported that Manchaca Mexican School operated for nine months begging around the 1943-1944 school semester. Manchaca Mexican School had previously been accredited for 6 grades as Travis County still continued to support the common school districts. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/386131261/)

The date of exactly when Manchaca Mexican School was discontinued is unknown. What is known is that Manchaca Mexican School was integrated into Manchaca School on FM 1626. Manchaca Mexican School was discontinued integrated into Manchaca School on FM 1626 most likely. This land was sold to a private homeowner on warranty deed in 1954.

Manchaca Mexican School was located on 11908 Polk Road, Manchaca, Texas, US 78652.