This institution, located at La Grange, had its beginning under the name of La Grange Collegiate Institute in the fall of 1848. From a diploma issued by this institution March 4, 1850, this information has been gathered: M. A. Montrose was president of the institution, and Elizabeth Montrose, principal. Trustees were W. L. Adkisson, I. B. McFarland, W. B. McClellan, W. F. Hodge, and B. Townsend. This institution was under the control of Colorado Presbytery.

With the organization of Colorado Synod in 1854, the control of the school was transferred to the synod, and its name changed to Ewing College. "In 1855, Prof. R. P. Decherd became president, and the school flourished under his management, and promised to become a permanent institution. Its work was stopped by the breaking out of the war." [Condensed from data furnished by Mrs. J. B. Brock, Mt. Selman, Texas]
[Source: Campbell, Thomas H. History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Texas. Centennial Volume. Nashville, Tennessee: Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House, 1936, pages 94-95]