Imagine standing here in 1881, hearing the chatter of young students eager to learn. This was the site of Presbyterian College, a beacon of education in the rugged Texas frontier.

Higher education was a rarity in this region at the time, and Buffalo Gap became a center for learning, earning the nickname “Athens of the West.”

Students studied Latin, mathematics, philosophy, and agriculture, preparing them for leadership roles in Texas communities. Some traveled great distances to attend, as this was the only higher learning institution for miles.

Presbyterian College, also known as Buffalo Gap College, first began as a public high school in the early 1880s. By 1883, it had grown into the first school of higher education in the county.

Local Presbyterian ministers, backed by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, led the charge to establish the school, securing a 20-year charter despite the challenges of drought and economic hardship.

Fun Fact: Even cowboys and Texas Rangers helped fund the college’s construction, hauling red sandstone from a local quarry to build its walls!

The two-story administration building stood three blocks south of the town square, covering two blocks of campus and enclosed by a wooden fence with stiles on each side.

The building, resembling a large church, featured a steeple, a bell tower, and arched windows. Inside, the lower floor housed classrooms, a physics lab, and a library, while the upper floor served as an auditorium, doubling as a community hub for Sunday school, town meetings, and performances.

By 1889, the school had expanded so much that a two-story dormitory was built to house 100 female students, many of whom previously boarded in private homes. However, tragedy struck when fire destroyed the dormitory, marking the beginning of the college’s decline.

When the county seat moved to Abilene in 1883, Buffalo Gap’s influence—and the college’s student enrollment—began to dwindle. By 1902, just as its 20-year charter expired, Presbyterian College closed its doors for good.

Yet, its legacy remains. When a public school was later built on this site, sandstone from the original college building was repurposed in its construction.

Though not visible from the outside, a section of the original sandstone wall is still part of Buffalo Gap Elementary’s gymnasium today.

As you pass by this school, think about the students who once learned here—some in college classrooms, others in early grade levels—all shaping the future of this region.

Now, let’s explore another key piece of Buffalo Gap’s past: Stewart Grocery, a staple in early commerce.