Pflugerville in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Pflugerville Schools
German immigrants arrived in Northeast Travis County in 1849. Education was highly valued, starting with lessons in the home. In 1872, a one-room school opened on the Henry Lisso farm. The school later moved to the Carrington Ranch. This and surrounding rural schools often had one teacher for all grades, with instruction in English and German. In 1907, a two-story white brick school opened in Pflugerville on property donated by George Pfluger. Three young ladies comprised the first graduating class in 1911 by completing the 11th grade. The school year lasted seven months, coinciding with the growing season. Early educators included Principal l. W. Land and teacher Emma Kuhn Johnson. Henry Bohls, J.W. Neese, John Klattenhoff, and E. W. Pfluger were among early trustees. After completing sixth grade in rural schools, most area students came to Pflugerville to attend high school.
In 1919, the Texas Legislature created the Pflugerville Independent School District (PISD). After consolidation with Highland, Dessau, Center Point and Rowe, a two-story red brick school was built on this site in 1921. The second story featured an auditorium for presentations and community events. Separate campuses were established for African-American and Mexican-American pupils. A Works Progress Administration (WPA) camp in Pflugerville built the rock gym in 1934 which became a noted athletic venue. The Panthers Football Team, coached by cousins Charles and Hub Kuempel, set a national record with 55 consecutive wins from 1958-62. Pflugerville schools integrated in 1965, and in 1973 a new High School campus was established west of this site. Nearly a century after its founding, the PISD serves more than 23,000 students on 29 campuses. Graduates continue to make a difference in their community, state, and nation.
Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17188.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 30° 26.569′ N, 97° 37.565′ W. Marker is in Pflugerville, Texas, in Travis County. It is on West Pecan Street west of 5th Street South, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 West Pecan Street, Pflugerville TX 78660, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Texas and in the Austin Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pflugerville (approx. Ό mile away); St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Maria Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bohls House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Fortress Home (approx. 2.4 miles away); Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dessau (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Gault Homestead (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pflugerville.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2020, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,192 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 18, 2020, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.


