Dorchester in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Dorchester School

Photographed By Morgan Petermann, December 19, 2023

1. Dorchester School Marker

Inscription. The community of Dorchester was founded on the railroad during the early years of the twentieth century. Two one-room country schools were established to provide for the education of the children of the families who moved to the area. The Dorchester School came into being about 1907 with the consolidation of these schools.

Between 1913 and 1915, a two-story brick schoolhouse was constructed at this site. Its auditorium also served as a location for community gatherings. Under U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's WPA program, a new school building was constructed in 1940. Its gymnasium served as athletic facility, auditorium, and social center, with the Halloween carnival as an annual highlight.

The high school was closed in 1949, but the Dorchester School continued to provide classes for elementary grade students until consolidation with the Howe School District in 1959.

For more than 50 years, the Dorchester School played a central and vital role in the town. Some of its graduates returned to the school to become educators, and many have remained in Dorchester to become community leaders.

Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7356.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location.

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33° 31.898′ N, 96° 41.453′ W. Marker is in Dorchester, Texas, in Grayson County. Marker is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 902 and Randolph Street, on the right when traveling west on Route 902. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11831 FM 902, Howe TX 75459, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jabez and Harriet Haning (approx. 3.2 miles away); William Whitley Wheat (approx. 3.2 miles away); Hall Cemetery (approx. 3.3 miles away); First Christian Church of Howe (approx. 4.8 miles away); Mame Roberts (approx. 4.8 miles away); Town of Gunter, on Old Gunter Ranch (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Great Sherman Storm of 1896 (approx. 8 miles away); St. Mary's Catholic Church (approx. 8.3 miles away).

Photographed By Morgan Petermann, December 19, 2023

2. Dorchester School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2023, by Morgan Petermann of Irving, Texas. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2023, by Morgan Petermann of Irving, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.