Highland School
Highland School
CR 364
Melissa, Texas
Highland School was first located in a log cabin as early as 1855-1857 about half way between present-day Anna and Melissa. Highland community was a stage coach stop along the Cedar Springs – Bonham Road.
The school had split logs, puncheon floors, and split log benches. In 1858 Dr. Charley H. Wysong gave land for a church and cemetery in the Highland Community. The church was a community church with several denominations meeting on alternate Sundays. After the Civil War in 1865, the church was divided into two rooms and a school was formed. Some of the early teachers were Miss Nannie Lewellan, J. R. Rogers, Miss Alice Spears, and Miss Mary Graves.
When the Houston & Texas Central railroad was constructed through Melissa in 1872 and Anna in 1873, the community of Highland was bypassed. People from Highland moved their businesses to nearer the railroad. In the 1870s the school building was moved one mile south of Anna on the Green Strother Farm. George Smith was one of the teachers. T. A. Parris taught 1881, ‘82, and ’83.
Highland School was included on a list of Collin County schools in 1880. It was described as in a good community with prairies and timber sufficient for farming purposes. The teacher was S. H. Cole. Highland School merged the Melissa School about 1882.
CR 364
Melissa, Texas
Highland School was first located in a log cabin as early as 1855-1857 about half way between present-day Anna and Melissa. Highland community was a stage coach stop along the Cedar Springs – Bonham Road.
The school had split logs, puncheon floors, and split log benches. In 1858 Dr. Charley H. Wysong gave land for a church and cemetery in the Highland Community. The church was a community church with several denominations meeting on alternate Sundays. After the Civil War in 1865, the church was divided into two rooms and a school was formed. Some of the early teachers were Miss Nannie Lewellan, J. R. Rogers, Miss Alice Spears, and Miss Mary Graves.
When the Houston & Texas Central railroad was constructed through Melissa in 1872 and Anna in 1873, the community of Highland was bypassed. People from Highland moved their businesses to nearer the railroad. In the 1870s the school building was moved one mile south of Anna on the Green Strother Farm. George Smith was one of the teachers. T. A. Parris taught 1881, ‘82, and ’83.
Highland School was included on a list of Collin County schools in 1880. It was described as in a good community with prairies and timber sufficient for farming purposes. The teacher was S. H. Cole. Highland School merged the Melissa School about 1882.
