Lancaster in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Rocky Crest School
In 1868, Lancaster’s first school for African American children opened in a former Confederate pistol factory. Soon after, “Lancaster Colored School” on Keller Branch served 73 students. In 1906, trustees allowed adults to offer night classes if they paid for electricity. The school had multiple locations. When Lancaster absorbed Rawlins School in 1927, brick from Rawlins was used for a new building. Laura B. White, R. B. White and J. D. Hall were longtime Principals of Rocky Crest, which taught eight grades and hosted community activities. The school expanded before Lancaster schools integrated in 1965-66. The site remains one of the area’s oldest associated with early minority education.
175 years of Texas Independence 1836-2011
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16923.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education.
Location. 32° 35.576′ N, 96° 45.04′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, Texas, in Dallas County. Marker can be reached from East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 602 E 2nd Street, Lancaster TX 75146, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church, U.S. of Lancaster (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church of Lancaster (approx. ¼ mile away); The Town of Lancaster (approx. 0.3 miles away); Former Site of The Head House (approx. 0.3 miles away); W. A. Strain Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Lancaster (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lancaster Education (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 8, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.