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History in
a Pecan Shell
Prior to 1890 the
Rocking Chair Ranch occupied most of the region. J. H. Young
is credited as being one of the first to build his home in what would
become Lutie.
The Pleasant Valley school district was organized in 1908 and in 1909
the name of the community became Lutie for Lutie (R. H.) Templeton,
wife of the Collingsworth county attorney. That same year a post office
was granted although it closed in 1913.
In the mid 1920s Lutie had a school, church, two garages, two stores
and a blacksmith. From a mere 25 residents in 1933 it reached a high
water mark of 125 citizens by 1941. After WWII
a decline set in as people left for better jobs and by 1990 the population
was 35. |
Rocking Chair
Ranche letterhead
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
Historical Marker:
From Wellington, take U.S. 83 N
about 11 miles to FM 1439
Site of Lutie
School
The community of
Lutie, named for early settler Lutie Gresham Templeton. Traces its
history to 1909. Two years previously, local citizens had formed the
Pleasant Valley School about one mile northeast of the townsite. Community
leaders moved the school to Lutie in 1912, renamed it, and added a
room. A third room was added in 1929, and the school continued to
serve area children until 1937, when it consolidated with the school
in Samnorwood (4 miles northwest).
Land where the school was located reverted back to the family of the
original donor, John Henry Young, Sr. (1874-1950).
(1992) |
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Another closed
building in Lutie
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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