Details for Comfort School

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5507017739

Data

Marker Number 17739
Atlas Number 5507017739
Marker Title Comfort School
Index Entry Comfort School
Address 232 High Street
City Comfort
County Kendall
UTM Zone
UTM Easting
UTM Northing
Subject Codes Educational buidlings
Marker Year 2013
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Yes
Marker Location NW corner of 3rd and High Streets
Private Property No
Marker Condition In Situ
Marker Size 27" x 42" with post
Marker Text Comfort was founded by a group of German immigrants in 1854. By 1856, there were enough children in the area to warrant a public school and a one-room log cabin was built on Michael Lindner’s lot no. 258 with some classes held in homes. The school had dirt floors and children sat on backless benches along the walls. Following the Civil War, the Comfort Schulverein (Comfort School Association) was established to oversee education in the area. In 1866, a second building was erected on the west end of Comfort Park. Mr. Carl Herbst taught continuously from 1866 to 1887, and Mr. Fritz Fischer served from 1870 to 1881 and again from 1887 to 1895. Both men received training from universities in Germany and brought success to the comfort school. Enrollment increased and soon the need for a larger school was evident. Between 1892 and 1893, the first permanent schoolhouse was built at the corner of 3rd and High streets. The three-room limestone building was constructed by Christian Lindemann and included a bell tower. The adjoining lots served as a playground for the school children. Around this time, the influx of non-German settlers created a need for language and curriculum changes. In 1904, a fourth classroom and hallway were added and, in 1922, a second story was constructed for the expanding school district. When major repairs were made to the roof in 1974, the eighty-year-old bell was removed. A replica was constructed in 1987 and is housed on the school grounds. This historic structure is a testament to the enduring service of comfort’s first permanent school.

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