Springlake-Earth School

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Springlake-Earth School out in Lamb County. Now, every good story starts small, and this one starts about as small as they come. The year is 1908, and somewhere in what would grow into a 202-square-mile district, somebody opens a single room, calls it a school, and gets to work.

One room. That's it. That's the whole operation.

But this part of Texas had a way of not staying small for long. By 1924, Halsell ranch land was being sold off to settlers, the local population was climbing, and Springlake became an independent district. The pieces were falling into place.

Then, in 1925, a brand new brick structure went up on a site bought from J. F. Kelley, and that enlarged school opened its doors.

Thirty thousand dollars put into that building, which was no small investment, and the community had names to put on the board of trustees: Otis Brown, M. E. Cleavinger, Earl Hewitt, Arthur Edwards, George Linville, H.

M. Packard, and W. C.

White. E. C.

Martin was the superintendent holding it all together. Now here's where the story picks up a little rhythm. Come 1928, somebody decided a school worth its salt needed more than just classrooms.

A band got organized. A football squad got organized. And a school paper got started.

All in the same year. The enrollment kept growing, the curriculum kept expanding, the school plant kept expanding right along with it. And then, in March of 1964, one more thing changed.

The name. "Earth" was added to it, and Springlake became Springlake-Earth School. One room in 1908. A name that took until 1964 to feel complete.

Some things in Texas just take the time they take.

What the marker says

(in 202-square-mile district) Opened 1908 as one-room school, Springlake became an independent district in 1924 when Halsell ranch land was sold to settlers and local population increased. Enlarged school opened 1925 in new $30,000 brick structure on site bought from J. F. Kelley. E. C. Martin was superintendent; Otis Brown, M. E. Cleavinger, Earl Hewitt, Arthur Edwards, George Linville, H. M. Packard, W. C. White, trustees. Band and football squad were organized and school paper begun in 1928. Enrolment, curriculum and school plant continue to expand. "Earth" was added to the school name in March 1964. (1972)