Bayles Elementary, Through the Years

About the year 1856 in the eastern part of Dallas County, W.C. Hunnicutt founded what was probably the first school in the settlement of Dallas. The first students that attended this school were from the Ferguson, Hunnicutt, and Rupard families. Tuition paid by the students provided the $6.07 salary for the teacher. The Motley children were provided a trail when their father plowed a furrow through the woods for the children to follow. The school continued at the location in the eastern part of Dallas County until the year 1870, when a team of mules was hitched to the building and pulled it to what is now the west side of Lotti Road, near the old Bayles home. The name was changed to Bayles at this time.


In 1890, a team of mules moved the school to its new location, where it remained unchanged for several years. This location is now the southwest corner of Jim Miller Road and Highway 30. In 1909, the importance of children's education was realized and the school term was increased to seven months. The traditional school year of nine months of learning and three months of vacation began in 1928.


At the mid-term of 1928, Bayles School passed a test of endurance when the school was to be abolished; but as a special favor, Mrs. D.C. Motley, a teacher, was told that if she could get 16 students the school would remain open. She made tables and chairs from crates for the first and second graders. She brought a big can of milk every day from her farm for the students to have with their lunches. In 1932, a second room was added to the little school, and it was completely remodeled.


In 1941 more than 100 ex-students and their families celebrated with a picnic the completion of the $36,965.00 modern school building at 2360 Laughlin Dr., which replaced the little two-room frame building. The picture below is an article that appeared in the Dallas Times Hearld in 1941. To download a pdf of the article that is easier to read, please click here.



Bayles Elementary moved into their new modern building at 2444 Telegraph Avenue on September 18, 1961. The old building on 2360 Laughlin Drive was turned into an Art Center. The Art Center on Laughlin Drive still bears the name Bayles on the front of the building, even though it is only used now as an Art Center.


The new building on Telegraph Avenue was updated in 2005 and a new wing was added to replace portable buildings that had to be brought in over the years. The ribbon cutting for the new wing was September 24, 2005.

The first principal was Robert B. Yowell, the mascot is a Bobcat, and the school colors are blue and white.

Motto: If it's to be, it's up to me.

School Song: I'm Proud to be a Student at Bayles Elementary, Written by: A. Ruth Jackson

Maria Tafur is currently the principal of Bayles Elementary with a student population of around 600 wonderful children.



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