| |
History
in a Pecan Shell The
town, formerlly known as Jordan changed its name in 1902 when the first
store was built and the town only had four families. Eola was created during a
land boom when county school lands were put up for sale at fifty cents an acre
in the 1890s. The sale attracted many Europeans – primarily Czechs.
A
two-story schoolhouse was built in 1906. By 1914 Eola had a population of twenty-five
which grew to 240 by 1931. In 1940 Eola had a population of 250 and was thriving.
It reached its zenith in ’47 when 350 Eolans called the town home. Nine teachers
taught elementary and high school classes.
A
visit to Eola >
Eola
Texas Forum > |
A
visit to Eolaby
Stephen
Taylor
This
is the former school at Eola. Of course, we have the WPA gym, which actually has
a new roof. The white building is the oldest, with the brick building being added
in the 30's with the gym.
It is sometimes hard for me to imagine just
how many people lived in the county before WW
2. It seems as though every hamlet had a brick school and every crossroads
had a smaller one or two room school.
Eola today is almost dead; the
only remaining business being the cotton gin and the Post Office. Eola is in northeastern
Concho County.
Anyhow,
there is good news going on at Eola. This fellow from Washington bought the school
and is restoring bit by bit. He is running a restaurant in the white building
(examine the door closely; at night a neon sign above the door advertise "steak".)
Apparently, he is using the proceeds from the restaurant to work on the school.
I would guess that the new roof in the gym is courtesy of his work; he gave us
a tour and showed us how he is restoring the hardwood floor in the gym. Apparently,
it is extremely tedious work and goes slowly. He is a gifted carpenter, however;
and seems to be making progress. He has put cots in one of the classrooms and
is using it for bunks for hunters. I don't know how that is working out for him.
His restaurant is the finest in all Eola. His restaurant is the only restaurant
in all Eola.
All pictures were taken Christmas Day 2005 - Stephen
Taylor |
 |
 |
Eola, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Eola, Texas
You
mention that Eola today is almost dead. I ride my bicycle thru there all the time
and there is a gas station and convenience store: Pa pa Patch Inc in Eola, TX.
Our records show it was established in 1998 and incorporated in Texas. The locals
call the Pa pa Patch Bennie's Place, cause that is the guy’s name that owns it.
- Chad W Freeze, January 13, 2012
Subject:
Eola Class Ring
I recently came across your website and was [surprised]
to find any information about Eola High School. A few year ago I went metal detecting
in the area and found a class ring from 1975. I have been trying to find the person
without any luck. Her initials are B_ _. I was wondering if you could please post
this email in the hopes of finding out who this person might be. I would love
to return the ring to it's owner. Thanks. - Shelley Gayler, Huntington, Indiana,
June 12, 2006 lennon1124@hotmail.com.
Subject: Old Eola
School
The
old Eola school house is also currently being used as a haunted house to
benefit neighboring Angelo State University groups. This past October, a small
fee was charged, and throngs of people from all around came to see the "haunted
Eola school." Haunted or not, it was quite a burst of life for the quiet community!
- Whitney Straw (avid Texas Escapes reader/visitor) Angelo State University
Elementary Education Major Senior, May 21, 2006
Subject:
Eola
I visit
your website frequently and when I saw the link to Eola, I actually shouted out,
"Wow, Eola!" About twenty years ago I went on a weekend drive pulling over to
peek at what people forgot and time took over... one of those was the town of
Eola. The doors to the school were unlocked and I couldn't resist. Part of me
thought it was still used as desks were still in classrooms; but the leaves and
birds throughout the halls told me otherwise. The auditorium seemed filled with
the souls of talent shows and graduation ceremonies gone by as sunshine from the
punctured roof shined on the stage. The gentleman has taken on quite a task; I
envy him and will be more than happy to buy the biggest steak he has and throw
in the heftiest tip I have on me for the effort! - Darcy Clarke, February 18,
2006
Texas Escapes,
in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that
anyone wishing to share history, stories, or photos of their town/subject, please
contact us. |
|
| Book Hotels
- Expedia
Affiliate Network | |
