Empire School
Empire School
Copeville, Texas
In the mid to late 1800s, early pioneer settlers established the Empire Community, which at one time had a school, post office, churches, stores and a cotton gin.
The first school at Empire was taught by J. E. (Tarheel) Jones. He came to Texas from North Carolina in 1867. One acre of land was deeded for a new school building for the Bear Creek Academy at Empire in 1869. In 1883 Jones called a meeting of the local land holders to build a public subscription school. The Empire Academy school house was 26 by 50 and 18 feet high. The lower floor was used for a first-class school. The upper floor was used by the Masonic and Knights of Honor lodges. It was located at the corner of the Josephine-Copeville Road, and the road to Empire. The building was completed in 1884 and school started the same year. A dormitory was later built to house both males and females. This was one of the best schools in the county; Latin, mathematics and all the higher subjects were taught. Mr. Hill was superintendent and Z. A. C. Harris taught classes and band music. With the railroads bypassing Empire in 1886 and 1888, the community declined. The Bear Creek Academy school land was deeded back to the original owner in 1890 because it was no longer being used for school purposes. The school became a country school. In 1925 the school had 30 students.
Copeville, Texas
In the mid to late 1800s, early pioneer settlers established the Empire Community, which at one time had a school, post office, churches, stores and a cotton gin.
The first school at Empire was taught by J. E. (Tarheel) Jones. He came to Texas from North Carolina in 1867. One acre of land was deeded for a new school building for the Bear Creek Academy at Empire in 1869. In 1883 Jones called a meeting of the local land holders to build a public subscription school. The Empire Academy school house was 26 by 50 and 18 feet high. The lower floor was used for a first-class school. The upper floor was used by the Masonic and Knights of Honor lodges. It was located at the corner of the Josephine-Copeville Road, and the road to Empire. The building was completed in 1884 and school started the same year. A dormitory was later built to house both males and females. This was one of the best schools in the county; Latin, mathematics and all the higher subjects were taught. Mr. Hill was superintendent and Z. A. C. Harris taught classes and band music. With the railroads bypassing Empire in 1886 and 1888, the community declined. The Bear Creek Academy school land was deeded back to the original owner in 1890 because it was no longer being used for school purposes. The school became a country school. In 1925 the school had 30 students.
