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TEXAS: ESTELLE SCHOOLS HISTORIC SITE PROJECT Since 2002, the staff of the Irving Archives, a branch of the Irving Public Library in Irving, Texas, has worked with former residents of the pioneer farm community of Estelle to bring part of their community back to life. Settlers first came to the Estelle area, located along the Dallas/Tarrant County line, during the 1850s. At its peak around the turn of the 20th century, the small community boasted a cotton gin, a general store, a community school, and a post office. The post office served a population of about 600 from the farms that were scattered throughout the area. Although the population of the area dwindled during the first half of the 20th century, the school remained open until the 1940s. Former students and residents of the community organized the Estelle Heritage Society in 2002 with the goal of having the old Estelle school ground designated as a historic site and educational center. Plans are to partner with the Irving Independent School District, the City of Irving, and perhaps other interested groups. The Heritage Society envisions building a replica of the old school and school grounds, c. 1920s-1930s, which will offer today’s children the experience of attending classes in a small rural school and playing games enjoyed by children of an earlier time. Ex-students and former residents held a reunion on the old school site in 2002. The recently discovered foundation perimeter of the 1916 brick school building was the center of attention for the attendees. In October 2005, the Estelle Heritage Society, with the assistance of the Irving Archives, members of the city council, and various City of Irving departments, held a reunion and clean-up day at the site. The Archives’ staff helped publicize the event and recruit workers. Members of the Estelle Heritage Society conducted walking tours for the many visitors, including Mayor Herbert Gears. Councilmen James Dickens and Allen Meagher provided lunch for everyone who attended. At the end of the day, workers had uncovered the school foundation, the sites of the water tower and the windmill, and the foundation of the coal shed. This significant progress set the stage for the next steps in the process: surveying the land, working with an architect to draw plans for the reconstruction, and meeting with the school district and the city to negotiate partnership agreements.
 Estelle students and faculty, 1908
| Official Word: The Government Records Section Newsletter
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