2018-3 Remembrances Special Edition1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Special Edition Article 2018-3
Prepared by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
Sources: 1. Comal, Texas – Community Built On Faith, Family and Sacrifice
2. Attachment #1 to Mrs. Sandra Sahm Reeh’s Application for Middle
School Naming
New Middle School Naming – A Tribute to Community Legacy
At the turn of the 20th century, situated along an historic roadway known as Kings Highway
(now identified as Farm-to-Market (FM) 482), there existed a farming community known as
Comal Settlement. The community was created by the arrival of a group of German first
settlers of New Braunfels, Texas. In the mid-1850s, these settlers migrated approximately
seven miles southwest of New Braunfels to begin establishing farms for the raising of crops for
personal consumption and eventually, cotton for sale as the community’s primary cash crop.
The community prospered as a cotton-producing region throughout the “King Cotton” era
(approximately 1830-1930). But, as time would prove, cotton farming suffered greatly during
the Great Depression years from other disruptive factors such as Boll Weevil infestation and the
introduction of synthetic fabrics. In its early years, the community’s struggles for survival were
many and daunting. But, being industrious, hardworking, and God fearing people, the settlers
overcame the obstacles. A basic infrastructure of commerce, educational and religious
foundations developed that kept the community vibrant and self-sustaining well into the first
few decades of the twentieth century.
Among the settler’s first priorities upon arrival at Comal was the establishment of a school for
educating their children. Initially, the children’s education was vested with the parents
themselves, which meant in-home schooling. It was not long before the community,
recognizing the need for a community school, built a small stone schoolhouse along-side what
was the “Old San Antonio Road” or “Kings Highway”. The location of the school was directly
along the pathway of what is known as the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Trailway. In
1863, another small stone building was constructed beside the original building, and became
known as “Danville School”. Danville School was the place where students from grades one to
eight were educated until transferring to a high school in New Braunfels, Texas. In the mid-
1950s, Danville School was consolidated with nearby Solms and Davenport Schools to form
Comal Elementary School. The second stone school building was moved to the site of the
consolidated school. The original stone building, used as a schoolteacher’s residence, remains
standing at its original site location. Today, Danville school reunions are celebrated bi-annually
by former students still residing in or near the vicinity of the former Comal Settlement.
Much has changed in terms of educational opportunity for the Comal community since the
early days of settlement. The site where once stood the consolidated elementary school, now
is occupied by Saint John Paul High School. The latest addition to educational opportunity in
the Comal Independent School District is the construction of a new middle school at the corner
2
of FM 482 and Hubertus Road. Naming the new middle school began by way of a
community/school district nomination and school district review process. Interested citizens
were invited to submit recommended names and to justify their recommendations in terms of
historical importance, individual contributions, and/or impact upon the community. One such
submission was sent by Mrs Sandra Sahm Reeh, a descendent of one of those original Comal
Settlement German immigrant families. Mrs. Reeh’s submission outlined the history of the
settlement and the importance of Danville School to the community’s development. To quote
Mrs. Reeh,
“…education is important to my entire family and was instilled by our ancestors….The
alumni (Danville School) agree that the education they received at Danville School was
the fundamental start for a great future, preparing them for careers in many and varied
occupations…The Danville School alumni are extremely proud of their legacy to the
Comal Settlement and Danville School and would be deeply honored if the new middle
school continues the heritage started in the mid-1800s by naming it Danville and/or
Danville-Comal Middle School.”
Mrs. Reeh’s persuasive application apparently struck home with the Comal School District’s
review committee. The name selected by the committee was “Danville Middle School”. The
school will begin opening its doors August 28, 2018 and a dedication ceremony will held in
either September or October 2018.
Comal Settlement is now a part of the City of Schertz’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The
area just east of the new middle school is the site of several iconic structures which were a part
of the community architecture and economic infrastructure during the settlement years.
The selection of “Danville Middle School” as the school’s permanent name is a significant
occurrence with respect to preserving the legacy of the commitment to education by the early
Comal Settlers. Mrs. Reeh is to be commended for taking the initiative for outlining the
importance of the legacy left by the early settlers of Comal Settlement and their first
schoolhouse.
Middle School Site New Danville Middle School Original Danville School