Melissa in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Melissa School
Photographed By James Hulse, March 29, 2022
1. Melissa School Marker
The first schoolhouse to serve the residents of Melissa was constructed on land acquired in 1882 by trustees James Graves, John Gibson and George Fitzhugh, pioneer area settlers. Since the deed stated the property was to be used "Forever exclusively, for educational and religious purposes," the one-room schoolhouse was the site of community worship services on Sundays. The first teacher in the school was Mary Huckerston, who taught all grades, and the first principal was F.O. Jones, later a professor at Texas Christian University.A new brick schoolhouse was completed at this site in 1910 to accommodate Melissa's growth as a railroad center. It was built through the efforts of W.N. Osburn, a long-time advocate of the town's educational program. Severely damaged by a tornado on April 13, 1921, the structure was later rebuilt. The district's continued growth through consolidation with nearby schools resulted in the need for a new building, which was constructed in 1939-40.
For over a century the Melissa School has provided a quality educational program that reflects the community's ideals. Graduates of the school include
this page online
Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6185.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is April 13, 1921.
Location. 33° 17.107′ N, 96° 34.265′ W. Marker is in Melissa, Texas, in Collin County. Marker is at the intersection of Cooper Street (Farm to Market Road 545) and Sherman Street, on the right when traveling east on Cooper Street. The marker is located in front of the Melissa Independent School District. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1904 Cooper Street, Melissa TX 75454, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Melissa Christian Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scott-Barker House (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Paul Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church of Melissa (approx. 0.4 miles away); Melissa Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Highland Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Corner Post of Uncle Charlie Wysong's Blacksmith Shop (approx. 1.8 miles away); Ambush at McKinney (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melissa.
Also see . . . Melissa, TX.
(Submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)Melissa is on U.S. Highway 75 seven miles northeast of McKinney in north centralCollin County. The rich soils of the Blackland Prairie and the waters of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River attracted settlers to the area in the 1840s, when the Peters colony was opened to settlement. The town was laid out in 1872, when the Houston and Texas Central Railway reached the area. Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, March 29, 20222. Melissa School Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, March 29, 2022
3. The Melissa School Marker in front of the Melissa School Home Office building
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
