Anson Independent School District - History

History

The first school taught in the town section of Anson was opened in April 1882 and closed in July of the same year. It was taught at the home of R. M. Huie which was located near the First Baptist Church. In 1956, the Johnny Moore Magnolia Station was located in the same place with E. G. Jones as the teacher. The next school was taught out of Jones' home with the assistance of his wife. The first school building was built on Block 55, Lot 4. In 1933 it was owned by Joe Grace Estate. The decision to build the school was made at a mass meeting at the Buie Law office in 1883. They raised enough money by public subscription to build one room. The Masonic Lodge agreed to build a room for their own use, to cover the building, and to furnish the lot. The school was built by volunteer labor and was taught by E.G. Jones. In 1889, a larger building was needed. $5,000 dollars was paid by the taxpayers and used to build this building. This was the building where the first graduating class was taught. They were graduated in 1897; the class consisting of Lola Hale, Allie Maxwell, Lelia Morris, Effie Neville, and Nannie Thompkins, and the principal was C. E. Evans. This school building was sold in 1904 and moved to become the Ansford Hotel. It stood until it burned down in 1943. A new, two-story brick school was built and used for all grades until 1910. Then a new high school building was erected south of the square. In 1929, the original unit of Ward School was constructed. In 1948 a $250,000 school bond was passed to build a new elementary school and remodel the existing high school. Finally, in 1968, the present high school was built.

The Texas author Lou Halsell Rodenberger (1926–2009) graduated as the valedictorian of Anson High School at the age of sixteen in 1942.