Plainview in Hale County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Lamar School

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 17, 2015

1. Lamar School Marker

Inscription. The first Plainview schoolhouse was built in 1887, the year the town was founded. Located northwest of this site, it was a half-dugout sod building similar to many of the pioneer homes of the area. Built by local men under the supervision of Judge J. M. Carter and Col. R. P. Smyth, the structure also served as a community center and was used for the organization of at least two local churches.

In 1889 the Plainview Masonic Lodge constructed a two-story frame building west of this site. The second floor was used for lodge meetings and the ground floor was occupied by the school, which became known as The Llano Estacado Institute for Male and Female in 1893. The building served as the schoolhouse until it burned in 1902.

Shortly after the organization of the Plainview Independent School District in 1902, the elementary school was renamed in honor of the noted Texas leader Mirabeau B. Lamar. A two-story schoolhouse at this site was moved in 1910 when the original section of the present building was constructed.

Later used as a vocational training center, Lamar School reflects the pioneer educational, social, and religious

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growth of the community.

Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3017.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 34° 11.069′ N, 101° 41.864′ W. Marker is in Plainview, Texas, in Hale County. It is at the intersection of East 5th Street and North Date Street, on the right when traveling east on East 5th Street. Marker is on the southeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plainview TX 79072, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Texas’ South Plains.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General Ranald Slidell MacKenzie (approx. 0.3 miles away); Schick Opera House

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 17, 2015

2. Lamar School Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Colonel C. C. Slaughter (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hackberry Groves (approx. 0.3 miles away); Texas Land & Development Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); Plainview Daily Herald (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Baptist Church of Plainview (approx. half a mile away); Green Machinery Co., Inc. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plainview.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 15, 2025

3. Lamar School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 916 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3. submitted on December 18, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.