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Sully
0
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 1,374
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Nacogdoches, TX
- First Name
- John
- Last Name
- Sullivan
What: I came across this place while out on a ride to the San Angelo area going after pictures of FM road signs. In a nutshell, the owner, Mark, purchased the Eola school a few years ago, after it had sat unused since the early 1980s. He operates a small restaurant and brewery (Bright Brewing) on site. In addition, he hosts events such as chili cookoffs and motorcycle rallies on the school grounds (a San Angelo club is holding a rally there August 14-16, club's site here). There is also plenty of room on the grounds for camping.
Here's a link to the website. Unfortunately, I can't remember the hours of operation, but you can email Mark at info@eolaschool.com
Here's a shot of the front entrance (that's Mark, bringing out the gallon jug of beer I bought to bring home with me
)
Another shot, showing the "old" and "new" schools (both of them are old, actually). The restaurant is in the white building. Note the left side pannier/cooler, eagerly awaiting the beer delivery.
A couple shots of the "dining room" classroom:
As always, I ordered a jalepeno cheeseburger, the yardstick by which I evaluate roadside eateries. It was excellent, with fresh jalepenos!
Mark has done alot of research on the school's history, and even got it listed in the National Registry of Historic Places
Here's the school auditorium. Like the rest of the school, Mark has been working bit by bit to restore it after being abandoned. During his interviews with locals about the school history, he learned that Ernest Tubb once performed here!
Where: 12119 FM 381, Eola, TX (Eola is a very small town, basically just the intersection of FM 765 and FM 381; the school is a bit north of this intersection, on FM 381)
Directions:
From San Angelo: Take Loop 306 to FM 765 East, and then follow FM 765 East until it intersects with FM 381 in Eola
From Ballinger: Take US 67 South out of Ballinger until it intersects with FM 381, and then take FM 381 South through Lowake to Eola.
From the South or East I didnt approach from these directions, so I can't say with certainty, but here's a link to a map
Summary: Eola School Restaurant may be little out of the way, but if you're in the area, and if (like me) you're a history buff, you owe it to yourself to check this place out.
Here's a link to the website. Unfortunately, I can't remember the hours of operation, but you can email Mark at info@eolaschool.com
Here's a shot of the front entrance (that's Mark, bringing out the gallon jug of beer I bought to bring home with me
)Another shot, showing the "old" and "new" schools (both of them are old, actually). The restaurant is in the white building. Note the left side pannier/cooler, eagerly awaiting the beer delivery.
A couple shots of the "dining room" classroom:
As always, I ordered a jalepeno cheeseburger, the yardstick by which I evaluate roadside eateries. It was excellent, with fresh jalepenos!
Mark has done alot of research on the school's history, and even got it listed in the National Registry of Historic Places
Here's the school auditorium. Like the rest of the school, Mark has been working bit by bit to restore it after being abandoned. During his interviews with locals about the school history, he learned that Ernest Tubb once performed here!
Where: 12119 FM 381, Eola, TX (Eola is a very small town, basically just the intersection of FM 765 and FM 381; the school is a bit north of this intersection, on FM 381)
Directions:
From San Angelo: Take Loop 306 to FM 765 East, and then follow FM 765 East until it intersects with FM 381 in Eola
From Ballinger: Take US 67 South out of Ballinger until it intersects with FM 381, and then take FM 381 South through Lowake to Eola.
From the South or East I didnt approach from these directions, so I can't say with certainty, but here's a link to a map
Summary: Eola School Restaurant may be little out of the way, but if you're in the area, and if (like me) you're a history buff, you owe it to yourself to check this place out.
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