1928 Panthers, School History

(Obtained through the courtesy of Mrs. James Rooney)

The first school of which there is any record, dates back to 1884, and held its sessions in what is known as the White House, the ruins of which still remain near the present dam. A few years later it was moved to a small three-room adobe, west of the Court House, and still later into the house occupied by Pilar Duran, Miss Jessie Williams, a sister of Judge O. W. Williams of this place, being the teacher.

In 1891, school was held in one of the soldier's barracks. Miss Lenore from the first to the eighth grade. The Mexican building, now the Anfen-Mitchell of San Antonio taught all grades, and no two books were alike son School of Music, was next used, still with one teacher and a very wide variety of books. About this time the two-story building, now the Mexican School, was built, the faculty was increased to four teachers, and there was a somewhat better collection of text books. In 1913, two more teachers were added, and in 1916 the old building was condemned and work on the new High School building begun. A temporary shack was erected nearby until the new school should be ready for occupancy.

The present school has an enrollment of nearly five hundred pupils, and a faculty of fifteen teachers, and is reputed to be the best affiliated school in West Texas.

We take this opportunity of telling you something about the historical cuts we have used in this book.

The old Pecos County Court House was built in 1883, and after thirty years of hard and picturesque service, was condemned and the present Court House was erected.

The original old store belonging to H. Hoehler was built about 1880, and was the center of many activities until 1910, when the present day Rooney Mercantile Company was incorporated by Mr. James Rooney.

When the old Fort was abandoned, the land it covered was owned by the famous "Seven D" Ranch. Several of the buildings were torn down and the materials removed. This was the fate of the old Fort Hospital.