Lutie, Texas, Collingsworth County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Prior to 1890 the Rocking Chair Ranch occupied most of the region. J. H. Young is credited as being one of the first to build his home in what would become Lutie.

The Pleasant Valley school district was organized in 1908 and in 1909 the name of the community became Lutie for Lutie (R. H.) Templeton, wife of the Collingsworth county attorney. That same year a post office was granted although it closed in 1913.

In the mid 1920s Lutie had a school, church, two garages, two stores and a blacksmith. From a mere 25 residents in 1933 it reached a high water mark of 125 citizens by 1941. After WWII a decline set in as people left for better jobs and by 1990 the population was 35.

Rocking Chair Ranche letterhead
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Historical Marker:
From Wellington, take U.S. 83 N about 11 miles to FM 1439

Site of Lutie School

The community of Lutie, named for early settler Lutie Gresham Templeton. Traces its history to 1909. Two years previously, local citizens had formed the Pleasant Valley School about one mile northeast of the townsite. Community leaders moved the school to Lutie in 1912, renamed it, and added a room. A third room was added in 1929, and the school continued to serve area children until 1937, when it consolidated with the school in Samnorwood (4 miles northwest). Land where the school was located reverted back to the family of the original donor, John Henry Young, Sr. (1874-1950).
(1992)

Another closed building in Lutie
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2008

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.