Preserving History: Bartlett, Texas Grammar School's Journey

Bartlett, Texas is one of many, nearly countless, beloved Central Texas small towns that features a rich history that keeps us so well connected to the past, and allows access for a continued retreat from the highspeed trajectory of our vastly sprawling urban centers of technological and cultural advancement.

Yes, as someone who grew up in a small farming community where there was only one high school for the whole county and it was 90 years old by the time I attended there, it is safe to say I really love small towns.

Last Of Its Kind: Texas School House To Be Given New Life

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The Bartlett Activities Center is what now occupies this last of its kind building with American Legion Post 183 located directly behind it. When it was built in 1909, it was the educational center and received students in grades 1st - 11th, but then a brand new high school was constructed 10 years later and it became the local grammar school for 1st - 6th grade.

When did the Bartlett Grammar School stop operating?

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The building continued to be an educational facility until 1988, and then was going to be razed after it ceased in service as a school. This 16 sided architectural marvel was once part of a trio, but the other two buildings in Alpine and Austin have both since been demolished.

Now, according to this KVUE article, the activities center has a 100 year lease, and that is just the first of what the community hopes to be many more future leases to come.