The Germans who immigrated to Texas in the 1830s, 40s, and 50s brought with them many and varied cultural institutions which they had known and enjoyed in Europe. As soon as the initial hardships of the frontier could be overcome, they eagerly established singing societies in the Lidertafel tradition. These organizations were to have a profound impact on music in Texas from about 1850 to the time of World War I.

The problem with which this study is concerned is that of analyzing the implementation of the stated purposes of analyzing the implementation of the stated purposes of Lon Morris College of Jacksonville, Texas from 1847 to 1973. Histories and Journals of the period, records and publications of the school and other institutions, and oral interviews of persons involved in its development provide data for the study. As a historical analysis, the study is divided according to successive periods in the school's development.

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine the significant events leading to the relocation of Bishop College, (b) to describe the programs offered at the college, (c) to identify a president and describe his impact on policy and programs in the college, (d) to describe the student population that attended the college during the period studied, and (e) to identify the causes and subsequent events which led to the closing of the college.