Ezzell Texas. (original) (raw)

One of Ezzell's former stores
TE Photo, February 2006

History in a Pecan Shell

Ezzell is noted for being the oldest settled area in Lavaca County. Initial settlement was between 1830 and 1836 when members of Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300" arrived. The name comes from storekeepers Sam and Ira Ezzell who operasted a store here prior to the Civil War.

Classes were taught in various church buildings after the war until 1883 when a proper school was constructed.

No population figures are available prior to 1980 when 55 residents were reported. The town has a church, school, and a historical marker, however there are currently no businesses.

Historical Marker:

Ezzell School

In the early 1850s pioneers of this area erected a building 2 miles north of this site which they called White House Christian Church and School because of the contrast its lime coating presented against the surrounding green prairie. In 1883 the school was moved to a building in the community of Ezzell on land donated by Andrew Garner. It was the community's first public school and was named Ezzell for local merchants Sam and Ira Ezzell.

In 1922 a new 4-room school building was erected at this site on land donated by Dr. E. A. Evans. Three additional acres were purchased from L. A. Bishop in 1923. In 1925 students from the nearby Live Oak School began attending Ezzell School. Ezzell's three teachers and nine grades served more than 100 pupils in 1935. Prior to World War II the Ezzell School building also served as the site for draft registrations.

Unlike many area rural schools which closed during the 1950s and 1960s, Ezzell continued to grow as the area it served expanded. In 1975 a new wing was added to the east side of the building to accommodate more students. In 1989 three classrooms, a science lab, and several physical education facilities were added. Today Ezzell operates as an elementary school.

1994

A rusting relic provides an early example of the first type of "screen-saver."
TE Photo, February 2006

The long closed Bishop's Grocery
TE Photo, February 2006

Lavaca County Texas 1907 Postal map showing Ezzell
(Below "VA" in "LAVACA". South of Hallettsville)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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