Plantersville High School dedicates THC marker

PLANTERSVILLE – The site of the former Plantersville High School received an official Texas Historical Commission marker.

Located on private property behind Plantersville Town Hall, parts of the foundation are all that remain of the historic Plantersville High School that was built in 1912. Plantersville native, Marilyn Bettes, spent a lot of time researching the school and applying for the THC marker to ensure history was preserved.

In the original plat of Plantersville, a 4-acre lot was set aside for a school. Plantersville Masonic Lodge built a school that was a shared space. Across the street on another corner lot was the female school where the town surveyor, James K. Markey, served as the first teacher. 

By 1865, the schools merged, and the Masonic Lodge building was used until 1912. The modern brick school, Plantersville High School, was built on the site the same year. Students grades nine through 11 attended the school, with a grammar school located on the same campus. The senior class of 1942 was the final class to graduate from Plantersville High School. In 1951, the school became part of Navasota ISD and was razed.

The owner of the property learned the history of the school and decided to keep the foundation intact. She said she is appreciative of the history. Originally, she was told by a realtor the ruins were the foundation of a home but was happy to learn the significance of the ruins.

Several Grimes County community members, elected officials, and Navasota ISD staff attended the marker dedication Feb. 15.