Alsup School
(Note: This school building was located at the intersection of present day State Highway 149 and Panola County Road 2091.)The first specific record of Alsup School was a deed in 1878.
"I, James F. Alsup, of Panola County ... being desirous of and directly interested in a white school being kep up and taught in the neighborhood in which I and my family reside, and having heretofore agreed to donate for the use of a white school about two acres of land ... in School Community #17 of Panola County, Texas, having erected a school house and established a white school on said land. Now, therefore, be it known at I have this day, and do by these presents grant ... for the sole use and benefit of the School Community in which I reside, a certain lot of land upon which the Alsup School House now stands, in which Reese Wilson has been teaching during this year, 1878. Said lot of land situated about four miles from Carthage on the public Road leading from Carthage to Beckville."
Signed on July 6, 1878 by J.F. Alsup with A.N. Fite and A.J. Barnett witnessing his signature.
This deed had certain stipulations attached to it. It was made to the District Trustees: J.F. Alsup, William F. Fite and F.N. Dagnall. It was to be in effect as long as the land was used for school purposes, but, if and when such ceased, the land was to revert to the grantor or his heirs.
On December 6, 1907, Alsup #14 was defined and established in the organization of school districts. The school was classified as an Intermediate School (elementary grades) until 1912 when the County Board classified it as a one-year high school. In June 1913 the County Board re-classified it as a two-year high school.
Superintendent Holmes reported in 1912, "Tax voted and building built and equipped up-to-date. This district built the first school house during the present administration. A good spirit prevails."
Alsup continued to have an elementary school long after school buses transported the high school students to Carthage, but by 1950 the district was consolidated with Carthage.