Peyton Colony
Near the town of Blanco Texas is the ghost town of Peyton Colony. Save for the church, its completely abandoned. The settlement was founded around 1865 by Peyton Roberts who acquired the land by preemption. According to the Preemption Act of 1841 just about anyone could obtain federal land and claim it.
Peyton Colony School
The Colony is unique in that it was built solely by black freed men at the end of the civil war. Between 1872 and 1874 Peyton Colony built its first church on land donated by a man named Jim Upshear, who came with his wife to Peyton on a wagon train from Virginia. Around that same time a schoolhouse was built. Peyton Colony existed well up into the 1990s and many of the residents at that time were descendants of the original settlers.
A Classroom in the Peyton Colony School
Here are some interior shots of the school. I was able to gain access to the inside. Really serene spot on a small bluff overlooking the hill country.
Window View of the School
Peyton Colony School-Main Room
Mount Horeb Baptist Church-First Church Built in Peyton Colony
All that is left in Peyton Colony is the school and the church and some overgrown foundations. Its definitely worth a trip out to see it.
Is the Peyton Colony school house still accessible to visitors who would like to take a few photographs? –Bruce Coad, retired teacher, Cedar Hill, TX
November 6, 2012 at 4:23 am
Yes it is but its full of junk now! Its still worth seeing.
December 8, 2012 at 5:49 pm