History of Colton School in Austin, Texas explained and examined.

Colton School is one of the many forgotten schools of Austin and Travis County. This school was one of the many rural schools in Travis County. Not too much history is known about this school. This news article will explain and examine the history of Colton School. The Colton School was also known as the Colton Schoolhouse.

Colton School was built as a wooden log schoolhouse in 1892 somewhere on FM 1625 and predated the Pilot Knob School by a few years. That is because Colton School was the precursor to Pilot Knob School. Cedar logs were used to construct the school. Lumber was donated by citizens. Colton School was located in a school district called Colton Ward School District and Pilot Knob School District from 1892 to 1950.

Colton School was part of a heated debate about whether or not primary education should be compulsory by law or not back in 1914. The debate was about compulsory educational law. Austin Weekly Statesman wrote about the debate under the headlines of “SCHOOL TEACHERS TO DEBATE”. Professor W. E. Davenport was principal of the Colton School in 1914. (Ref: Austin Weekly Statesman, SCHOOL TEACHERS TO DEBATE, 1914)

“Prof. W. E. Davenport, principal of the Colton School, and Prof. H. F. Grinstaff of Creedmoor will meet in joint debate at the Colton School next Friday night. The subject to be discussed is "Resolved That the Next Legislature Should Pass a Compulsory Educational Law." Mr. Davenport will take the negative side and Mr. Glindstaff the affirmative. Following the debate a box supper will be served.”

The Colton School was rebuilt into a new school for a cost of $2,000 dollars in 1918. The school was newly painted and repaired. Miss Effle Whiteland was made principal of Colton School replacing Prof. W. E. Davenport. “At the new $2000 Colton school Miss Effle Whiteland of Austin is principal.” (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/384430760/)

Mattie Mae Smith was principal of Colton School from 1919 to 1921. She served a term of two short years as principal before teaching at other schools. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/357889767/)

Colton School was located somewhere on FM 1625 before relocating down to the corner of FM 1625 & McKenzie Road in 1930. The Colton School would operate as a separate school from Pilot Knob School until 1950. Colton School merged into Pilot Knob School in 1950.

Colton School was located at FM 1625 & McKenzie Road, Austin, Texas, US 78747.