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History in a Pecan
ShellThe town is
a direct descendant of a plantation run by Jared E. Kirby, a former Confederate
Colonel. The plantation was named Alta Vista and was one of four in the
area. After the death of her husband in 1867, the cash-strapped Mrs. Kirby converted
her plantation home into the Alta Vista Institute, a boarding school for
women.
In the mid 1870s she moved the school to Austin
and sold the land to the State of Texas. In 1876, the Texas Legislature established
the first higher learning public institution for Blacks in Texas.
The agricultural and mechanical training school opened in March 1878 on the grounds
of the old plantation. The original eight students departed from the program within
days, however by a new act of the Texas Legislature (April of 1879) the Prairie
View Normal and Industrial Training School was opened, which evolved into
Prairie View A&M University.
The first post office appeared in
1892 – in the home of Duncan D. Robertson. The building was also a store for both
Black students and White farmers. The population at that time was estimated to
be 300 people – a respectable number for that time.
The post office closed
its doors in 1938 – and was rerouted through Hempstead,
although in recent years a new post office has opened on the campus of the school.
The
development of the school has helped the community prosper. The school’s water
system provides water for the town as well as fire and ambulance service.
The
1990 census reported a population of 4,129 which has since increased to 4,410
by 2000.
Where
to Stay
Waller Hotels
| Hempstead Hotels |
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1907
Waller County Postal map showing Prairie View
(W of Waller.
Above "L-E-R" in "W-A-L-L-E-R")
Courtesy Texas General
Land Office | |
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