Near Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Crabapple School

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

1. Crabapple School Marker

Inscription. German immigrants who came to Fredericksburg in the late 1840s and who later settled in this area erected a native limestone school which opened in 1878 with about 40 students. The land was donated by farmer Mathias Schmidt who according to local tradition earned the privilege by winning a foot race. Facilities added over the years include a teacherage and space for a post office, Lutheran church, and community band. Crabapple school merged with Fredericksburg’s independent school district in 1957 after which the community adapted the buildings for a variety of uses.

Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10022.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 30° 26.393′ N, 98° 49.903′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It is on Lower Crabapple Road 0.4 miles east of Ranch to Market Road 965, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14671 Lower Crabapple Rd, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country.

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. John's Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Welgehausen Ranch (approx. 0.4 miles away); Enchanted Rock

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(approx. 3.9 miles away); Cherry Mountain School Complex (approx. 6.8 miles away); Cherry Spring Schoolhouse (approx. 7.1 miles away); Site of Prairie Mountain School (approx. 8.9 miles away); Robert E. Rowntree House (approx. 9.2 miles away); Old Cherry Spring School (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Regarding Crabapple School. The marker and the school are featured in Chapter 8, “To Have What We Must”, of the book History along the Way: Stories beyond the Texas Roadside Markers by Dan K. Utley and Cynthia J. Beeman.

1882 Crabapple School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

2. 1882 Crabapple School

This building was the second school on the site, built in 1882

1878 Crabapple School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

3. 1878 Crabapple School

This building was the first school on the site, opening in January 1878, and then became the teacherage (house for the teacher) when the new school building was completed in 1882

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

4. 1882 Crabapple School

View to the east from Lower Crabapple Road

Crabapple School as viewed from Lower Crabapple Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, December 9, 2015

5. Crabapple School as viewed from Lower Crabapple Road

The 1878 school / teacherage is on the left with the 1882 school on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 889 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.