In the late 1890s the school facilities in the Shackelford county area were very meager. In response to the need, a group of local ranchmen, including G.T. Reynolds, W.D. Reynolds, and Judge J.A. Matthews, came together in order to find a way to bring adequate education to their children. It was decided that an academy should be constructed, so an architect was hired, with work beginning soon after.
The brick school building was built in Albany on the hill overlooking the town, near where the water tower stands now. Work was completed in January 1899, and that semester the Reynolds Presbyterian Academy, which was named for Mr. B.D. Reynolds, was opened. The building had three stories, including a basement; and in addition to classrooms the building also contained space for a chapel, library, music room, art room, office space, and several recitation rooms.
In 1907 the academy officially became a college, with courses such as English, Mathematics, Physics, Latin, German, History, and Music available to all students. Unfortunately, after only a few years the college was forced to discontinue due to the low number of students attending.
The main school building and dormitory remained vacant until 1916, when the elders of the Presbyterian Church decided to use the structures for a new orphan’s home. The name was only slightly changed, and the home became known as the Reynolds Presbyterian Orphanage. The first occupants were three sisters from Baird whose mother had died the night before. Within three years the number of children living in the home had increased to 120.
The Orphanage was moved to Dallas in 1923 where it remained under the same name until 1960, when it again relocated, this time to Waxahachie, where it was renamed the United Presbyterian Homes. Of the buildings that remained in Albany, three wooden structures were sold and moved from the property, while the main brick building was torn down and the rock and brick sold.
Molly Sauder, Archivist & Librarian
