Old Dougherty House

Location of noted St. Paul's Academy for Boys. Home of school owner Robert Dougherty (1827-1881), a refugee from 1840s Irish famine. Educated at St. Mary's College, Kentucky, Dougherty worked as a journalist and merchant before settling in Texas, here marrying Rachel Sullivan. In 1867-1874, he was principal, Hidalgo Seminary, Corpus Christi. Built his school here on Round Lake, near wife's family, 1876. He taught geography, history, mathematics, Latin, Greek, classical literature and Gaelic--subjects rare in that era. His seven children all began their careers as teachers. (1970)