Historical: Mansfield Academy

In 1901, the citizens formed the Mansfield Academy Association and purchased school grounds at the corner of North Walnut Creek Drive and East Broad Street for $600 from the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.

This red brick building with white brick trim served as the main building of the Mansfield Academy from 1901-1909 and Mansfield School from 1910-1923. There were two other brick buildings used for primary and intermediate grades. The main entrance faced Elm Street. School was conducted by J. Henry Phillips and S.V. Carmack and others until the summer of 1909. The Mansfield Academy was also called the Phillips Academy because of the amazing personality and achievements of it's head, John Henry Phillips. The Mansfield Academy closed in 1909 with the formation of the Mansfield Independent School District. This buildings were purchased for $12,512 for the public school and served as the Mansfield School until a new building was built and opened in 1924. Bricks from this building were used to form the inner core of the new building, which still stands. This picture was taken about 1910, and it says High School Mansfield, Tex. on the photo.

To learn more about Mansfield history, check out the Mansfield Historical Museum, 102 N. Main St., open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more info, call 817-473-4250, emailmuseum@mansfieldtexas.gov or go to mansfieldhistory.org.

Photo courtesy of the Mansfield Historical Society.