Rocky Crest School

The story

In 1868, Lancaster’s first school for African American children opened in a former Confederate pistol factory. Soon after, “Lancaster Colored School” on Keller Branch served 73 students. In 1906, trustees allowed adults to offer night classes if they paid for electricity.

The school had multiple locations. When Lancaster absorbed Rawlins School in 1927, brick from Rawlins was used for a new building. Laura B.

White, R. B. White and J.

D. Hall were longtime Principals of Rocky Crest, which taught eight grades and hosted community activities. The school expanded before Lancaster schools integrated in 1965-66.

The site remains one of the area’s oldest associated with early minority education. 175 years of Texas Independence * 1836-2011