Lampasas in Lampasas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Centenary College and St. Dominic's Villa
Nearby Hill Site of
Photographed by James Hulse, June 14, 2021
1. Centenary College and St. Dominic's Villa Marker
Centenary College Preparatory School, Lampasas' first coeducational college, was founded 1883 by the local Methodist Episcopal Church, on the Centennial of the Organization of Methodist in the United States. First president was the Rev. Marshall McIlhaney, at a salary of $125 per month, two 3-story buildings comprised the plant. First-year enrollment was 174 and tuition was $25 per 5-month semester; Christmas break lasted 1 1/2 days. In 1894 the property was sold and classes moved to the vacant Park hotel; when the hotel burned a year later, the college closed.
St. Dominic's Villa, a Catholic Boarding Academy for girls of all faiths, opened 1900 in the former Centenary College buildings. Under the able, spirited direction of the Dominican Sisters, it made progress for two decades. Its former students recalled the villa days as ones of "girlhood happiness". Sister Mary Catherine, director, and her dedicated staff developed an atmosphere of home-like contentment and high scholastic standards. The college had two 5-month semesters; to gain school days, Easter vacation was not observed. Peak enrollment of 70 was reached in the second year. Anti-Catholic activity of the "Ku Klux Klan" helped influence the villa to close, 1925.
Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 779.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 31° 5.125′ N, 98° 11.247′ W. Marker is in Lampasas, Texas, in Lampasas County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 281 and U.S. 183, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 281. The marker is located in front of a trucking business along the Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1550 US-281, Lampasas
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Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. 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, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Saint Mary's Catholic Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); William Thomas Campbell (approx. 0.9 miles away); James S. Gillett (approx. one mile away); Walter P. Acker (approx. one mile away); James Jackson Beeman (approx. 1.1 miles away); Garrison Greenwood (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of Abney Plunge (approx. 1.1 miles away); Oak Hill Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lampasas.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 14, 2021
2. Centenary College and St. Dominic's Villa Marker in front of the truck business
Photographed by James Hulse, June 14, 2021
3. The view of the Centenary College and St. Dominic's Villa Marker from the road
Chrisrestores via Tik Tok
4. Centenary College and St. Dominic's Villa Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,455 times since then and 137 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on January 17, 2026.
