Polly's School House

A couple of months ago a friend and I had an outing to Pipe Creek to visit the old community of Polly, Texas. This beautiful valley along Privilege Creek in Bandera County was discovered by J. P. Rodriguez in 1858 and subsequently purchased by him. The settlement that grew up once contained a school, chapel, cemetery, general store and post office. Polly's Fort, his home, was destroyed by fire many years ago by vandals.  Our original goal was to find the schoolhouse, which is currently being restored.  By the time we were done we had picked up a delightful guide--a board member of the association--who took us to the church and the ruins of the fort--but we ran out of time for a cemetery visit. Another time I suppose.

(Polly's Fort is on private property and requires permission to access.)

Polly is named for Jose Policarpio "Polly" Rodriguez, well known as a scout and guide, a Texas Ranger, a Bandera County Justice of the Peace, and later as a Methodist minister.  You can learn more about him here at the Polly Texas Pioneer Association website.

The schoolhouse is located at 2320 Bear Creek Road in Bandera County.  The day I visited a group of volunteers were cleaning the building and clearing the land around the 1882 schoolhouse in preparation for a dedication ceremony.  See the low roof line below the main peaked roof? I was told it is thought the addition was a room that once served as living quarters for the teacher.
The school operated for about 40 years before consolidating with Bandera.

Note the beautiful floors and ceiling.

Interior of school. Note fireplace and enclosed bookshelves.

The interior had a fireplace at one end. Off to the left, and just out of view there was also evidence that a wood-burning stove had provided heat in the building.

The association is currently raising money for the restoration of the schoolhouse. Go to the website  to learn more.

Piles of cedar cuttings where the parking lot is now.