Devotion School is one of the many forgotten schools of Del Valle and Travis County. Not so much history is known about this particular institute of education and religion. This school was also used a church were religious services were held. Devotion School was one of the rural schools of Travis County. Devotion School was located 3 miles west of Garfield, Texas on Highway 71 where Southeast Metro Park is located today.
Thomas Pratt Washington and Mrs. Elizabeth Tate Harris Washington opened a school called the Devotion School on their plantation around 1850. The Devotion School began as a private school around 1850 which was started and owned by the Washingtons. Mrs. Washington taught the neighbor children as well as her own. (Ref: https://traviscountyhistorical.blogspot.com/2020/11/devotion-school-southeast-metro-park.html)
Devotion School was located on a 2,000-acre farm at the mouth of Onion Creek on the Colorado River. This 2,000-acre farm was their plantation. (Ref: Handbook of Texas, Thomas Pratt Washington)
Onion Creek Missionary Baptist Church was later reorganized at the old Devotion School near Jones Crossing around 1867. The church would Devotion School for religious services. Eventually the church moved back to the site near Bergstrom Air Force Base above Moore’s Crossing. (Ref: Austin American, Page 6, Wednesday, August 7, 1957)
Thomas Pratt Washington and Mrs. Elizabeth Tate Harris Washington later deeded Devotion School to Travis County in the year of 1892. Devotion School would be operated by Travis County Common School District aka Travis County Public Schools. (Ref: Travis County Deed Records, Volume 104, Page 201)
By 1892, Devotion School was located on land owned by R. F. Jones, Thomas Pratt Washington, and Travis County just less than 4 blocks away from Norwood Gin which was located on Norwood Lane in Del Valle, Texas. A water well was drilled on the Norwood Gin which had provided water for Devotion School and Colorado School No. 3 (Colorado Colored School #3) for many years. (Ref: Travis County Road Book 1898-1902)
Devotion School reopened the same year during the 1892-1893 school term. The Devotion School opened with good attendance.
Devotion School was established and built as a white barrack shaped single story building that was a one-room school building similar to Garfield White School, Sprinkle Negro School and Garfield Negro School.
Devotion School educated white students in the Colorado Common School District (now Del Valle ISD). The one-room school building educated students in grades 1 through 7. 8th grade students and older students attended junior high school and senior high school classes in Austin.
Austin Statesman stated that enrollment was steadily increasing during the beginning of the 20th century right around 1900s. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Page 8, Wednesday, November 20, 1901)
“The enrollment and popularity of the Devotion School is steadily increasing. Its patrons realize the importance of judicious moral training and strict discipline in school and in the family. The Devotion School opened with good attendance.”
The attendance rate of the Devotion School has increased 100% percent by the year of 1901 stated in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63664032/1901-devotion-school-garfield/)
“The attendance of the Devotion School has increased 100 per cent. Some people's prejudice and opposition to good discipline cause them to raise their children in idleness and ignorance.”
Repairs and other improvements were made to the Devotion School House in 1901. Comfort was added to the appearance of exteriors. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Page 6, Thursday, October 24, 1901)
The Devotion School was shut down in 1908 and relocated closer to Garfield, Texas. The school consolidated with Haynie Chapel School and Garfield School. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, OLD DEVOTION SCHOOL Building and Grounds to Be School Consolidated and Sold, Page 8, Thursday, May 14, 1908)
OLD DEVOTION SCHOOL. Building and Grounds to Be School Consolidated. Sold.
The county commissioners yesterday authorized the trustees of School District No. 85 to sell the old Devotion school house and land. This school has recently been consolidated with the Haines Chapel School and a larger and better school established at Haines Chapel. The money derived from the sale will. It is understood, be used for school improvements in the district.
1909 is the year when Devotion School would be consolidated into Colorado Common School District #36 (now Del Valle Independent School District) in 1909. The school was no longer used by 1910.
The Travis County Historical Commission requested help from citizens who have any information that is known about the Devotion School in a news article printed in the Austin American-Statesman. The Travis County Historical Commission would like to have any information that is known on the Devotion School believed to have been in an area southeast of IH-35. Try 477-8570, Ina Ray Smith, commission cemetery coordinator or this correspondent. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Page 105, Thursday, March 15, 1979)
Today Devotion School sits at the location of Southeast Metro Park at Ross Road and State Highway 71, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617.
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