Near Frankel City in Andrews County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Whalen Lake School

(2 miles S.)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 15, 2025

1. Whalen Lake School Marker

Inscription. One of the first schools in Andrews County, opened in 1907 near the north edge of Whalen Lake, on land donated by Mrs. M. B. Dillard. The one-room school, built by Joe and Jake Mathis, with materials purchased by Will Gates, served the children of homesteaders "proving up" their claims by living on the property 3 years. Teachers were Miss Grace Stanford, a Mr. Taylor, Miss Mary Lewis, and Earl Lontz, each remaining one year. The school closed in 1910, and the building was moved, as most of the settlers fulfilled their claim agreements and left.

Erected 1974 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5773.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 32° 22.042′ N, 102° 48.356′ W. Marker is near Frankel City, Texas, in Andrews County. It is on Eunice Highway (State Highway 176) 0.3 miles east of County Road 7001, on the right when traveling west. Picnic area, N side SH 176, 1 mi. E of FM 1967. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Andrews TX 79714, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Andrews County (here, next to this marker); Frankel City

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(approx. 2 miles away); Irwin Ranch House (approx. 7.3 miles away); Shafter Lake Townsite (approx. 7½ miles away); Andrews County Discovery Well (approx. 9 miles away).

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 15, 2025

2. Whalen Lake School Marker

Marker is on the right; Andrews County marker (167) is on the left.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, January 11, 2026

3. Whalen Lake School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on January 11, 2026, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.