Groesbeck Independent School District

Developers established the town of Groesbeck in February 1871, and Groesbeck College opened two months later on Trinity Street. Education for African American children dates from 1881, when trustees bought an acre of land adjacent to the Lone Star Cemetery (2 mi. S) for school and church purposes. In 1886, Limestone County acquired the former Groesbeck College property to establish the town's first public free school. On May 24, 1890, citizens voted 43 to 24 in favor of incorporating the town for school purposes. Two days later, County Judge L.B. Cobb approved formation of the Groesbeck Independent School District. By 1892, the district erected two new buildings, one for white students and one for African American students. Over the years the district established new campuses throughout the city. A large two-story frame school built in 1896 burned in 1910, prompting construction of the first brick school. Starting with Frost Creek in 1926 and ending with Thornton in 1965, several rural schools consolidated with Groesbeck, vastly increasing the attendance area. Integration began in 1966 and was complete by 1969. Today, Groesbeck Independent School District is a large school system covering hundreds of square miles and including the incorporated cities of Groesbeck, Kosse and Thornton. Groesbeck fielded its first football team in 1900. School traditions include selection of the Goat as the school mascot in about 1925, introduction of the TAOG yearbook in 1937, adoption of the high school colors as red and white in 1939, and the founding and first homecoming of the Groesbeck Ex-Students Association in 1952. (2006)

Groesbeck Independent School District is a historical marker in Groesbeck, Limestone County, dedicated in 2005. It is one of 66 historical markers documented in Limestone County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 184 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.5387, -96.5248 near Groesbeck. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Baptist Church of Groesbeck (historical marker), about 1.0 miles away. Others within a short drive include Groesbeck Lodge No. 354, A.F. & A.M., Foster, Lafayette Lumpkin, and Limestone County Courthouse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507013716. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.