Cresson in Hood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Cresson School
Cresson, like many of the rural communities surrounding it, started its school programs in one-room schoolhouses. Cresson's was located just west of this site and was torn down in 1890 when a two-story frame structure was erected here. This schoolhouse was used until 1918, when it was replaced by a larger, red brick building that burned years later in October 1930. Students attended classes at local churches while the school district worked to build a new schoolhouse.
The M.l. Wallace & Co. architectural firm from Dallas served as designer, and county school superintendent Victor B. Penuel chose the appearance for the new school building. The yellow-brick, mission revival schoolhouse was completed in 1931, with an auditorium and four large classrooms. Design elements include cartouches and decorative elements in window surrounds. Fund-raisers held during subsequent years added a kitchen and indoor restroom facilities. In July 1965, a severe storm damaged several buildings in Cresson, and lightning struck the school. The central parapet on the main façade, designed to resemble the curved parapet of the Alamo in San Antonio, was damaged and later replaced.
After Cresson consolidated with Granbury schools in 1967, the school building sat abandoned; a community group organized in the late 1970s to work for its restoration. Today, the school serves as a community center and as a link to Cresson's early educational programs.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13144.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1965.
Location. 32° 31.869′ N, 97° 37.261′ W. Marker is in Cresson, Texas, in Hood County. Marker is at the intersection of Pittsburgh Street and North Crook Street, on the right when traveling west on Pittsburgh Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9304 Pittsburgh St, Cresson TX 76035, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bruce-Davis House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Three Miles South to the Grave of Elizabeth Crockett (approx. 6.2 miles away); Former Acton Masonic Lodge Hall (approx. 7.3 miles away); Acton Cemetery (approx. 7.3 miles away); Grave of Elizabeth Crockett (approx. 7.3 miles away); Godley School (approx. 7½ miles away); First Baptist Church of Godley (approx. 7.9 miles away); Granbury Railroad Depot (approx. 11.3 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2013, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,106 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2013, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. 3. submitted on January 28, 2022, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.