Rocky Crest School

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

Rocky Crest School is a historical marker in Lancaster, Dallas County, dedicated in 2011. It is one of 352 historical markers documented in Dallas County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 574 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.5929, -96.7507 near Lancaster. The nearest cataloged historic site is St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, First Baptist Church of Lancaster, and Lancaster.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016923. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.