Hometown 10

Hometown Tales Location # 10 - Trinity Academy
Traffic box located at corner of White Settlement Rd and Cherry Lane

As more settlers found their way to what would become White Settlement, they faced a common problem for a new community; a need to educate the children. In the sparsely populated frontier, formal education was often a luxury. Establishing a local school provided access to learning that would otherwise be unavailable to many children. One of the first schools established in our area, Trinity Academy was located just across present day Cherry Lane. This private school was started in 1877. It continued operation until around 1888 when it became a public school, the White Settlement School. The establishment of a school represented a significant step forward for a Texas settlement, symbolizing hope, progress, and the commitment of the community to building a better future for themselves and their children. Trinity Academy in White Settlement, and later the White Settlement School, would have undoubtedly served as a vital center for education and community in its time.

Beyond its purpose as a schoolhouse, the building served as an important community meeting place. Schools often served as one of the first and most significant community hubs in a new settlement. They provided a place for families to come together, fostering social interaction and a sense of belonging in what could be an isolated environment. Trinity Academy was used to host business meetings, parties, and the Trinity Valley Literary Society gatherings.

The significance of this site goes beyond the school. A cotton gin and mill also once stood at this location and served the White Settlement farming community. The gin was built in 1881 by the Lewis Bros. who also ran a Boots and Shoes store in downtown Fort Worth.