College in Liberty Hill educates area students

College in Liberty Hill educates area students

By Karen R. Thompson Monday, 24 March 2008

In 1884, a nonsectarian college was granted a charter in Liberty Hill. The Liberty Normal (Teachers) and Business College was looked upon as a boon to the growing community of 450. The Liberty Normal and Business College opened in January 1885 with E.M. Coleman as president and his wife, P.T. Coleman, as secretary. The school offered seven courses, including commercial work and telegraphy. Many families moved to Liberty Hill to enroll their children in the school.

The original building burned in 1903, but was rebuilt. The last class graduated in 1910, and the facility was converted into a public school to accommodate the growing population and increase the years of pre-college instruction.

At that time, most high schools in Texas granted a diploma after 10 grade levels. However, Liberty Hill students could pay a tuition for an additional two years and graduate from high school with 12 grades, which was considered to be something like attending junior college.

Anna Ray Craven (Barho), born on July 12, 1908, graduated from Leander High School in May 1925. She and three fellow graduates of LHS enrolled at Liberty Hill, making the commute via Model T Ford or by train. They graduated in May 1927.

An advertisement in a local newspaper published a list of the school’s attributes:

• Because the institution is thorough, practical and economical.
• You can go cheaper and do better than at any other institution.
• Seven courses are sustained.
• Our methods are modern.
• Study is made a pleasure and not a burden.
• This Institution is permanent and it will be creditable to graduate here.
• We sustain a course in telegraphy.
• We sustain a thorough and comprehensive commercial course.
• It is the only true Normal school in Western Texas.
• The citizens and teachers are social and kind, and will make Liberty Hill a home for the student.
• We have beginning and advanced classes in all common branches each term.
• Students are not crowded over what they do not understand.
• Beginning students are not neglected for those more advanced.
• This school is better adapted to the wants of the masses than any other school in the state.

Liberty Normal opened in 1885 with four teachers and by 1892, there were 166 students. Its curriculum around 1900 included humanities and science courses.