Hempstead High School

When the town of Hempstead was founded in 1856, a centrally located school site was platted; however, no school building was erected until after the Civil War (1861-65) and ensuing era of economic stress. There were several private schools conducted, and early public school sessions were held in rented quarters, the old Waller County Jail being used at $250 a year rental from 1881 to 1887. In 1885 the town passed a bond issue for a school building to be erected here. To the cheers of townsmen lining the streets, the principal, his faculty, and the students paraded in 1887 from the jail to the new school building, which had cost $10,000 and was fenced to keep out stock allowed to run at large in the town. The Hempstead "graded" school became "Hempstead High School" that year. First graduation exercises (for six students) were held in 1888. Accreditation has been maintained since affiliation with the University of Texas in 1893, except for a 1907-14 lapse. From ten grades in 1887-88, the course of study increased to eleven in 1913-14, and twelve in 1941-42. The school plant was enlarged in 1914, 1923, 1936, 1955, and 1963. Original 11.5-square-mile district has expanded through consolidations to about 200 square miles. (1972)

Hempstead High School is a historical marker in Hempstead, Waller County, dedicated in 1972. It is one of 52 historical markers documented in Waller County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 135 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.0915, -96.0821 near Hempstead. The nearest cataloged historic site is Ahrenbeck-Urban Home (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include First United Methodist Church of Hempstead, Waller County Post Offices, and Hempstead, C.S.A..

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5473009389. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.