Near Rowena in Runnels County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Sweet Home School

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 13, 2016

1. Sweet Home School Marker

Inscription. The need for education in this rural area was met in 1902, when a two-room school was started on Emil Helm’s farm (1.5 mi. NW). The name “Sweet Home” was chosen by Henry Kriegel, one of the first trustees. In 1922 the school was moved to a better-equipped, two-room structure on this site. John Simecek (1878-1964), a farmer and banker who served the longest term as school trustee, 1922-44, donated the 2-acre tract of land. A teacherage (residence) was added in 1928, and a cellar in 1930. Sweet Home School closed in 1944, and today only the cellar remains to mark the location.

Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5162.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 31° 35.937′ N, 100° 5.566′ W. Marker is near Rowena, Texas, in Runnels County. Marker is on Old Sweet Home School Road (County Road 252) 0.2 miles north of County Road 253, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rowena TX 76875, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rowena (approx. 4.3 miles away); Oldest Rock Building in City (approx. 4.3 miles away); SPJST Lodge No. 49 (approx. 4.4 miles away);

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Sons of Hermann Lodge (approx. 4½ miles away); Miles Methodist Church (approx. 5.3 miles away); Old Thiele Building (approx. 5.3 miles away); San Clemente Mission (approx. 10.3 miles away); John S. Chisum (approx. 10.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rowena.

More about this marker. On the back side of the marker is a plate the reads as follows:

Former Teachers and Officials of the Sweet Home School

Teachers: Lillian McKinney Miller, Evelyn Glasscock Breeding, Mozelle Faulk Davis, Grace Truman Faulk Price, Frances Fowler Wagner, Mary Fowler Moonen, Meta Straach Meyers, Ethel Brown, Pearl Kimbrell Maass, Estella Gillmore, Ella Gillmore Woodrow, Eda Lisso Janek, La Stelle Matejowsky Bailey, Mittie Clifton Cameron, Easybell Holiday, Marie Laudermilk, Lavonia Carlile, Ruth Golding Lisso, Ada Simmons Chrisman, Henry R. Leach, Cleo Smith Hester, Mary Skaggs Puett

Trustees: John Simecek, W.B. Pruitt, F. Blumentritt, Otto Kriegel, Henry Lisso, A.W. Matejowsky, W.F. Redman, E.P. Kaulfus, Ed Glass, Gus Redman, Alvin Redman, Clarence Matejowsky

County Superintendents: J.J. Bugg,

Back Side of Sweet Home School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 13, 2016

2. Back Side of Sweet Home School Marker

R.E. White, Ernest Caskey, E.C. Grindstaff

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 13, 2016

3. Sweet Home School Marker

View to west from County Road 252

View to South from County Road 252 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 13, 2016

4. View to South from County Road 252

School site on right (west) side of road

Cellar of Sweet Home School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 13, 2016

5. Cellar of Sweet Home School

The only remains of the school

Photographed By Seth Breeding, Sr., September 7, 1975

6. Sweet Home School Marker

Reunion and dedication of historical marker at site of Sweet Home School near Rowena, Runnels Co, TX, 7 Sept 1975. Photo of one of the first two teachers and the returning members of the first class 1922-1923. Left to right: 1. Adeline Simecek Holliday 2. Meta Straach Meyers 3. Sadie Simecek Mikeska 4. Elda Lisso Rose 5. Evelyn Glasscock Breeding-1st teacher 6. Clarence Matejowsky 7. Alvin Redman; 8. Gerhard Henrichs 9. Mrs. Edgar Helen Schuls Williams 10. Mrs. Gerhard Norma Maass Henrichs. Photo by Seth Breeding Sr.

Sweet Home School - Teacher Evelyn Glasscock Breeding image. Click for full size.

circa 1922

7. Sweet Home School - Teacher Evelyn Glasscock Breeding

circa 1922

8. Sweet Home School - Teacher Evelyn Glasscock Breeding

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 22, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 19, 2020, by Marja Spearman of Austin, Texas.