In 1879, Andrew Cathey donated land to establish an elementary school, and James Cliff directed construction of a one-room schoolhouse about one mile southwest of where it now stands. Over the years, the schoolhouse also served as a church, a community hall for dances and hard time parties, and a meeting place for the Home Guard during World War II. The Home Guard were aircraft spotters stationed at the Charles Gordo Ranch where there was a telephone, and this information in enemy hands probably discouraged any plans to invade the United States. The schoolhouse was lit by coal lamps until 1947, when electricity finally reached the area.