Near Stonewall in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Junction School
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 2015
1. The Junction School Marker
A half century after leaving, Johnson returned. With his first teacher, Miss Kate Deadrich, at his side, he signed into law one of the most important education bills of the 20th century. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act redefined the Federal government’s relationship with America’s schools.
On April 11, 1965, President Johnson signed the bill that committed more than $1.5 billion in Federal funds to America’s schools; it was one of more than 60 education bills he signed during his presidency. Said Johnson, “I believe deeply that no law I have signed or will ever sign means more to the future of America.”
(Upper Right Photo Caption)
Children play on the school’s basketball court, about 1916. Though only four when he attended the school in 1912, Lyndon Johnson loved elbowing his way into ballgames with children much older than he.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 30° 14.597′ N, 98° 36.378′ W. Marker is near Stonewall, Texas, in Gillespie County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Road 49 and Klein Road, on the right when traveling west on Park Road 49. Marker is located at the eastern entrance to Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and the northwest corner of the intersection of Park Road 49, Klein Road, and Redstone Ranch Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stonewall TX 78671, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Education for All (within shouting distance of this marker); The Reconstructed Birthplace (approx. 0.3 miles away); A River Runs Through (approx. 0.3 miles away); A More Perfect Society (approx. 0.3 miles away); Generations of Johnsons (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Mr. Jelly Bean" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of the Andreas Lindig Lime Kiln (approx. half a mile away); Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonewall.
Related markers. Click here
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 2015
2. The Junction School
Also see . . .
1. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park - Official Website. (Submitted on November 30, 2015.)
2. Junction School Brochure from the National Park Service. (Submitted on November 30, 2015.)
Additional commentary.
1. Once a Teacher, Always a Teacher Interpretive Sign
“Education is the only valid passport from poverty.”
Lyndon Johnson
As a former teacher, Lyndon Johnson understood the importance of education and its ability to transform people’s lives. His presidential years saw an unprecedented wave of over 60 education bills which continue to make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.
A small selection of President Johnson’s education legacy.
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- Higher Education Act
- Vocational Education Act
- Library Services and Construction Act
- School Disaster Aid Act
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf
- Handicapped Children Early Education Assistance Act
- Veterans Benefit Act
- Nurse Training Act
- Indian Vocational Training Act
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 20153. Marker in front of the Junction School - Child Nutrition Act
- International Education Act
- Education Professions Development Act
(Photo Caption)
President Lyndon Johnson addresses students at South West Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, April 1970.
— Submitted November 30, 2015.
2. One-Room Inspiration Interpretive Sign
Built in 1910, the Junction School served the rural inhabitants of Gillespie County for 37 years. Students walked to school to learn the “3R’s”—reading, writing, and arithmetic—in a sparsely decorated room heated by a wood stove and illuminated by kerosene lamps. A water bucket and dipper provided drinking water, and children brought their lunches from home in tin pails.
By 1912, when Lyndon Johnson began his education, Kate Deadrich taught 40 students here. Boys sat on one side of the room, girls on the other. The future president, youngest student in the school, often sat on Miss Kate’s lap for reading lessons.
For the rest of Lyndon Johnson’s life education would play an important role. Inspired by his brief time in this simple schoolhouse, he would go on to become a teacher, and eventually as president, sign over 60 educational bills into law.
(Upper Right Photo Caption)
To
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 2015
4. East Entrance to Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
(Lower Right Photo Caption)
President Johnson’s mother, Rebekah Baines Johnson, was a college graduate who instilled in him a love of learning. She taught him the alphabet before he was two years old and how to read by the time he was four. She asked that her son be enrolled early at the Junction School.
— Submitted November 30, 2015.
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 2015
5. North Side of The Junction School
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 2015
6. Once a Teacher, Always a Teacher
Interpretive Sign
Interpretive Sign
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 2015
7. One-Room Inspiration Interpretive Sign
Photographed By Duane Hall, November 12, 2015
8. The Junction School Classroom
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 30, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
