Near Pipe Creek in Bandera County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Polly's Schoolhouse, 1892,

J.P. Rodriguez Settlement 1858-1935

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Polly's Schoolhouse, 1892, Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2022

1. Polly's Schoolhouse, 1892, Marker

Inscription. 125 Years of Bandera history!
Polly Texas Pioneer Association, a local 501.c.3 non-profit, is proud to announce its acquisition of Polly's Schoolhouse. The schoolhouse was built in 1892 by J.P. "Polly" Rodriguez. The schoolhouse served as the educational hub for the settlement founded by Polly. Polly's Chapel, Fort, and General Store were also part of this settlement. Please help us preserve the heritage and legacy of Polly, Texas. For more information or to see how you can help, contact us at 210-673-3584 or visit pollytexaspioneerassociation.org.

In collaboration with UTSA's School of Architecture
UTSA

Erected by Polly Texas Pioneer Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 29° 46.301′ N, 98° 58.162′ W. Marker is near Pipe Creek, Texas, in Bandera County. It is at the intersection of Bear Creek Road and Privilege Creek Road, on the right when traveling north on Bear Creek Road. The marker is located along the road in front of the old school house.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2320 Bear Creek Road, Pipe Creek TX 78063, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Polly, Tx (approx. 1.2 miles away); Polly's Chapel 1882 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Polly's Chapel (approx. 1.3 miles away); Polly Cemetery - 1890 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pilots' Lounge at Bandera Airpark (approx. 6.1 miles away); Bandera County (approx. 6½ miles away); Stegosaurus (approx. 6½ miles away); Dilophosaurus (approx. 6½ miles away).

Also see . . . Polly's Schoolhouse. Polly Texas Pioneer Association website entry:

Polly’s School house is named after its founder and builder, Jose Policarpio “Polly”
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2022

2. The Polly's Schoolhouse and Marker from the road
Rodriguez. “Polly” was a well known figure in Bandera County, Texas. He was a early Texas gunsmith, surveyor, army scout, Texas Ranger, rancher and minister.

Polly Rodriguez was also responsible for founding the J.P. Rodriguez Settlement in SE Bandera County in 1858. Over twenty families farmed, ranched and settled there. Polly built Polly’s Chapel, was responsible for the Polly Texas General Store and built Polly’s School House.

In 1892, Polly gave one acre to the state for the construction of a school for the neighboring children to attend. Although the state had no funds to purchase land, nor did it have funds to construct a school, Polly and local residents funded and constructed the school house, later know as Polly’s School House.

The school was position in a north to south axis with windows exposed to the south to east winds. The design was one room for all grades and had a small attached carriage shelter. The construction was of 24’ thick stone walls with a wood frame roof with a metal standing-seam roof. The exterior walls were plaster smooth and featured six wooden single-hung glass windows with shutters.

Inside,
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2022

3. The view of the Polly's Schoolhouse from across the road
there was a small wooden fireplace on the north wall with shelving on each side. The floors and ceiling were of tongue& groove one inch wood. The walls were smooth plaster. Also, there was an old time Outhouse and a handmade water cistern were the children drew drinking water. Source: Polly Texas Pioneer Association

(Submitted on January 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 792 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.