The first school in Mineral Wells was opened by a Mr. Berry in 1881 and was located in a frame building equipped with long benches.  This was a far cry from the new High School building and equipment and the newer Lamar Elementary School building opened here within the last few years.

The building was put up by the Baptist for a church and was used, alternately by the Baptist and the Methodist for church services and a union Sunday School being held each Sunday.  This location was a block South of where the Baker Hotel now stands.  Later, each of the denominations erected churches on the lots they occupy at present.

In 1884 R. E. Hendry taught here and it was through his efforts that the old rock building was constructed.  It is still in use.  A few years later, Prof. John w. McCracken of Springtown built two large two story frame buildings and started a college in 1891.  Twelve instructors, the best that he could find were hired to teach and the school drew a nice attendance from the surrounding country.  The late John Birdwell, the late Cullen Grimes and the late Ben Yeager, were all graduates of this college.

In 1900 state funds became available for a full 9 months term of free school and the college closed.  From 1900 until 1921 the schools operated under city government and then the independent School District was created.  First Superintendent of the School after it became and independent district was E. O. McNew.  He was Supt. for 19 years.  During that time the school was graded and affiliation with the other schools secured.  He left the system in 1917 and was followed by Robert A. Dean who served for 4 years.

Then in succession came S. J. Smith, R. H. Brannon, H. H. Hutto and W. A. Ross, W. C. Cunningham and the present Supt., H. M. Carnes.  Mr. Ross served 12 years, the longest tenure as Superintendent, with the exception of Mr. McNew.

After the rock building came a brick structure in the cove which was known as the East Side School which housed the High School as well as some of the grade school classes until the building on West Hubbard was erected and occupied as a High School in 1915.  Members of the class of 1914 were sure the ground was broken for the building in the spring of 1914, when they took part in the ceremonies.

The first class to graduate in the Hubbard St. School was the class of 1915.  They had occupied the building at mid-term (January) and graduation exercises were held May 25 for the 17 girls and 7 boys of the class.  Five of the boys were George Barber, Edwin Mays, Charles King, Morris Keasler and the late Herman Holloway.  The building from which this class moved was used as a grade school until it was condemned in the 1920s and was torn down before William B. Travis School was opened in 1926.

At some time along the way a red brick, two-story building was erected on the lot North of the rock building and was known as West Side school and later named Houston School.  It was torn down and the Lillian Peak Cottage (Home Economics Cottage) was erected on the site.  A new building was erected to care for the grade school pupils that attended there and it is the present Houston School.

Now there are four elementary schools, Houston, Cullen Grimes, Travis and Lamar, a Junior High School and a High School with a total enrollment of more than 2900 pupils.

There are six common schools in Palo Pinto County, one at Brad which teaches 8 grades; one at Salesville, 7 grades; one at Brazos, 7 grades; one at Mingus, 7 grades; and the Palo Pinto school where 8 grades are now taught.

Independent schools are Gordon, Graford, Mineral Wells, Santo and Strawn where 12 grades are taught.

In other articles some of the history of a few of these schools is told.  One school, Silver Wells, north of Mineral Wells has been the subject of much discussion the past few weeks, has not been in operation for a good many years and it, along with Liberty Hill school and Staggs Prairie school, were consolidated in Valley View schools.

Consolidation of schools throughout the country has been hard on the older and smaller schools, although it is thought to be a good idea for the country in general.

Other schools that existed in the county in the 1890s but which are only names now are Mud-Springs,, in the western edge of the county and several "subscription schools" that existed in the homes of the teachers or a relative or friend.  The teachers were paid, so much (perhaps it should be said, so little) was paid by parents for each pupil.  Sometimes the price was paid in chickens, butter or some other commodity but teachers had to eat, too.

Palo Pinto (Golconda) had its earliest school with Dr. S. S. Taylor as teacher and many schools in many locations followed the first school before the present school was built.