History of Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School explored again.

Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School is one of the many forgotten school of Austin and Travis County. Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School was one of the 12 Mexican schools in Travis County that was operated by the Travis County Common School District. This news article will explain some of the history behind this school.


Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School was established sometime in 1857. The building was erected as a 3-room single story brick building. Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School taught Hispanic students only. Grades 2 through 7 were taught at first. The school began shifting its focus to educate grades 1 through 7 later. Two Mexican schools were established for the Hornsby-Dunlap Common School District which were Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School No. 1 and Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School No. 2.

W. L. Steele was one of the first teachers at Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School during the latter half of the 1800s. He also served as trustee and principal of Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364675999/)

M. M. Hornsby, Rueben Hornsby, W. L. Steele, Maud Douglas, and C. B. Davenport had been trustees for the Hornsby-Dunlap schools including Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School for many years by the 19th century and 20th century. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/359044347/)

Many Mexican schools were only open a few weeks because the children would not come back from working in the cotton fields until December. This included Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366348075/)

“Most of the Mexican schools have only been open a few weeks because the children did not come back from the cotton fields until December. Industrial work in these schools should be made possible for part of the day.”


Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School had been receiving state aid by 1919. That is because Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School had been designated to receive state aid. Both Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican Schools received $175 dollars in state aid during the 1919-1920 school year. So Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School would continue receiving state aid. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/384526614/)

Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School was constantly inspected by the County Superintendent much of the 20th century as stated in the Austin Statesman. County Superintendent Maud Douglas constantly inspected the Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/357569891/)

Another teacher was added at Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School in 1931 due to the increasing enrollment that school was facing at that time. The county superintendent's office announced that another teacher was added at the Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School in the Austin American. Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School had received state aid during the Great Depression. (Ref: Austin American, Page 2, Saturday, January 17, 1931)

“Due to the rapidly increasing enrollment in the Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School, another teacher was added to the faculty this week, the county superintendent's office announced. Mrs. Julia Browning is the additional teacher. Mrs. John Sheridan is the principal of the school.”

The Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School taught by Miss Margaret Howard and had enrolled 74 pupils in 1926. Miss Margaret Howard taught all 7 grades. The age range of the student population ranged from 7 to 12. Miss Margaret Howard was the teacher until the school closed. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366348075/)


Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School continued to operate despite economic hardships during the Great Depression. The school district continued to operate both schools. Many Mexican schools were only open a few weeks because the children would not come back from working in the cotton fields until December. This included Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School.

“Most of the Mexican schools have only been open a few weeks because the children did not come back from the cotton fields until December. Industrial work in these schools should be made possible for part of the day.”

Miss Julia Browning was elected principal of Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School in 1931 as stated in the Austin Statesman. Miss Jessie Walker was elected as assistant principal of Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385841435/)

“For the Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School, Mrs. Julia Browning was elected principal and Miss Jessie Walker was elected assistant.”

Miss Julia Browning was named principal of Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School again in 1932. Miss Betty Kana was elected teacher at Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School to succeed Mrs. John Sheridan. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364605368/)

Betty Kana, Mrs. Kathryn Loftis, Madalene Adrian, and Beatrice Howe were four of the teachers who taught at Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School in 1934. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/386041366/)

1952 was the last year this school would operate as Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School would close down in 1953 during the 1953-1954 school year. Students at this school would be now attending classes at the Hornsby-Dunlap White School (now Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary School). The building was later demolished in 1957.

Hornsby-Dunlap Mexican School was located at 14310 Hunters Bend Road, Austin, Texas, US 78725.