Near Manor in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Willow Ranch School
Photographed By Keith Peterson, November 25, 2007
1. Site of Willow Ranch School Marker
Travis County landowner Peter Carr Wells (1856-1913) donated a plot of land on his ranch to the Willow Ranch School District in 1894. Four years later, a school was established on this site. Most of those who attended were the children of Swedish immigrant farmers; some sharecropped the P. C. Wells land. Students learned basic skills as well as Texas history, geography, art, and physical education, and participated in interscholastic league competitions. Another room was added in 1906, providing space for community clubs and other social gatherings as well as for classes. The school closed in 1938 and the students were transferred to the Kimbro School District.
Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12252.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 30° 23.624′ N, 97° 27.316′ W. Marker is near Manor, Texas, in Travis County. Marker is on Wells Lane just west of Wells School Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manor TX 78653, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Manda (approx. 0.9 miles away); Kimbro (approx. 1.1 miles away); New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Willow Ranch School, The Defender, Yearbook of Travis County Rural Schools, 1936. Link is to Portal to Texas History's copy of 1936 Defender (Submitted on February 18, 2023, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
2. Peter Carr Wells, Find a Grave. (Submitted on February 18, 2023, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
3. Wayman Frederick Wells, Handbook of Texas. P.C. Wells' father was Wayman Frederick Wells. The family moved to Texas in 1827. His father served in the Texas Revolution. (Submitted on February 18, 2023, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
Additional commentary.
1. Status of school building
The school building was across the road from the Manda Cemetery and was visible as late as 1967 aerial photos.
— Submitted February 18, 2023, by Richard Denney 
of Austin, Texas.
Photographed By Keith Peterson, November 25, 2007
2. Willow Ranch School Marker
Looking East
1932
3. Willow Ranch School for Black Students
Prior to school desegregation, as a 1932 map of Travis County shows, there was also a Willow Ranch School for Black students. Both schools were near the Manda Cemetery pointed to with a red arrow on map. The map mistakenly calls both schools "Willow Branch"; the name Willow Ranch is confirmed in numerous newspaper articles of that time. The map is the 1932 Topographic and Road Map, Travis County, by Travis County Engineering Department.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 995 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on February 18, 2023, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 3. submitted on February 19, 2023, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
