County Old Montgomery schoolhouse becoming a historic Texas site By: Melanie Hillis, Courier staffSeptember 24, 2003 A small Montgomery schoolhouse which has survived through the ages is being recognized as a historical site by the Texas Historical Commission. Once known as the "little school by the cemetery" in 1880, the Oklahoma School, known today as Oklahoma Community Center, located at Hufsmith-Conroe Road and Carraway Lane, served first- through ninth-graders. On Saturday, former students of the school and local residents are going to attend a dedication ceremony to celebrate the old school house, which represents early education. Only a $300 donation was used to build the one-room schoolhouse in 1880 on property donated by the G.V. Leslie family, a local family at the time. The building served the Oklahoma community until 1923, when Montgomery County purchased two acres to construct an additional room. The two-room facility, which housed first- through sixth-graders on one side and seventh- through ninth-graders on the other, served the community until March 1930, when the building burned down from a heater fire, according to former students. The Montgomery County School District built another schoolhouse on the same property and opened its doors in the fall of 1930. In the early 1940s, many children were separated from family members who had to fight in World War II. Bettye Stephenson, 69, of Tomball, attended the school for six months in 1941. She has a vague memory of the school, but she does remember her mother staying by her side during the difficult times. "My mother was protective, and we lived two city blocks from the Oklahoma School," Stephenson said. "My mom walked me to school, would bring me lunch or walk me home from school for lunch and in the afternoons walked me home." Not only does she remember the times she spent with her mother, but she also recollects a Christmas play that she and other first-graders performed. "I remember that we had a table with sand and a (play) town set up for history or geography," said Irene Massey, 68, who attended the Oklahoma School in first and second grade. "The teacher would let us play with it after we did our homework." Not until 1944 did the schoolhouse close, and those students transferred into the Magnolia and Tomball school districts to attend school. Only a few years ago, Precinct 3 Commissioner Ed Chance and his staff worked to restore the school building and playground equipment, including a merry-go-round and swing set. "It's vitally important to own and maintain the historical building and keep it in good condition," Chance said. "The history itself is important." The school is being recognized by the Texas Historical Commission with an official Texas historical marker. A dedication ceremony will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Oklahoma Community Center (Oklahoma School) located at Hufsmith-Conroe Road. Members of the Montgomery County Historical Society including the chairman, Gertie Spencer, will be present to pay tribute to the historic building. The event is open to the public. ©The Courier 2003