Aubrey’s original school began of log construction when the Key Settlement was established. In 1877 they had a one room box constructed house to serve as the school. It was located about one and one-half miles south-west of what is now Aubrey. It was used two or three years and was known as the Key School House. Dr. G.T. Key built the log cabin. Linnie Wilcox was the teacher. In about 1882 a one room box school house was built about 400 yards from the railroad depot southeast on land that was donated by L.N. Edwards and Louis Caddell Sr. J.D. Boren was the first teacher in the Aubrey School. Then in about 1889 or 1890 an addition was made to the Aubrey box structure. It was 30 by 60 feet with walls about 16 feet tall and a steep high roof with no ceiling. This building was the idea of Dr. Crawford. A Ceiling was added and was partitioned into rooms. In about 1905, a two story brick structure was built on a six acre plot of ground that was previously owned by the First Baptist Church. It was almost repaired, put back in use after being serious damaged during the 1918 cyclone, when it was declared unsafe in 1925. It was demolished at about that time and removed and a new brick structure took its place. Almost exact same foundation and basement were used. This building was removed in the mid-1960's. The dome in the center of the building was never repaired and replaced after the storm of 1918.

This Aubrey School District settlement covered a scope of country north of Sand Town and south of Belew Settlement and between the two Elm Creeks. Dr. G.T. Key and family came from Missouri in 1846 and settled near the present town of Weston in Collin County, and in 1858 he moved on Eastridge of Big Elm about one and one-half miles south-wet of the present town of Aubrey and built a log school house. It was called the Key’s Settlement Schoolhouse. Around it the settlement clustered. He was assisted by Jim Wilcox, Joe Wilcox and others. In 1861, when the war began, Professor Will Drake was teaching school here. It was the last school for about seven years and when the town of Aubrey was established, Key’s School House was discontinued. There were some kind hearted folks here and it was recorded that the following participated: Dr. G.T. Key, Henery Key, John Key, Clark Key, Jim Wilcox, Ben Moss, Joshua Harrison, George Harrison, John Wilson, Pleas Wilson, John Whitaker Sr., John Whitaker Jr., Wes Whitaker, Ben Whitaker, George Parker, John Parker, Joe Hunt, Newt Reynolds, Will Nall, Sam Murphy, Bob Wallace, Milt Wallace, Charley Wallace, George Nail, Click Nail, Marion Case, Tom Case, Frank Case, Winslow Case, Caleb Burnett, Sam Burnett, Mrs. Polly King, Ellick Tutt, Bill Jackson, Jack Steel, Mr. Hart and Squire Hart.

In about the year 1874, the Trans-Continental branch of the M.E.P. and P.R.R. was constructed through Denton County and passed between the homes of Woods, a member of the original Methodist class and L.N. Edwards. Both of these men were farmers and anxious to get a settlement and town established near their farms.

On March 10, 1888, the new Aubrey school building was almost complete with the exception of the painting and trimming. This school building was located east of where the State Highway 377 is now and was on the south side of what is now F.M. 428, a paved state farm road running east to the Spring Hill Community. It was located where Mr. Bo Thompson lives today on Jim Coffey’s place south side of road and it is said by some that the barn that now stands just east of Thompson’s house was constructed from some of the remains of the described main school building. Historians record that on October 20, 1888, "It is a beautiful victorian gothic structure. The main building is 30' x 60', in addition to an office and rostrum 14' x 12' extending to the main room. The roof is self-supporting. Near the north-west corner a dome tastefully proportioned rises 67 feet over the main entrance. There is a basement of rock for furnace and coal. The rooms are to be heated by the furnace and four registers. Desks are the latest improved patterns and blackboards are on three walls.

Ventilators of the most improved style carry off the foul air in the rooms. The building and the furnishings cost $3,000. Teaching this opening year was Professor Stephen N. Howser, later in the year was County Superintendent of Macon County, Tennessee, and his associate was Pleas Howser of Aubrey."

On August 16, 1890 history recalls that "massive windows with weights in the Aubrey institution were installed while sufficient blackboards, paper, erasers and slates have been purchased. Mrs. Edwards is the music teacher."

While we attempt to put together these facts for the record, we can visualize that the great pride and community love and loyalty that existed before the turn of the century in the early settlers of our town. While pride and precision went into the making of the beautifully described wooden frame structure that cost a conservative three thousand dollars, we learn that the Denton County Commissioners were constructing a suspension bridge across the Big Elm Creek as a means for this early county and Aubrey people and their neighboring villages to the north to cross on their way to Denton. The bridge was designed, of course, for wagon and team. It was located near the railroad bridge where it joined to the Mingo Road. It was built at a cost of $3,700. We take pride in this day as we recall the events that are recorded that happened before our time and that pride stems from the conservative costs that existed in the days that did not know the electric powers of tools that help us to construct readily and quickly in this day. Aubrey is essentially still possessed with that same pride and loyal, conservative people that precede us. Let us bear in mind also that Indians gave all the early settlers many troubles and made the settling of the area just that much more misery. However the Aubrey area (before it was named) and to the south toward where Lincoln Park is now, the Indians were generally friendly people and gave the Aubrey people very little trouble. The Indians gave much friendly trade to the locals, trading their well tanned and good grade leathers to the early settlers in exchange for corn and other foods.

Grandchildren of the pioneer settler, Dr. George T. Key, reside in Denton and hold many pleasant memories of hearing their father and aunts describe his "horseback" trips with his saddle bags of medicine as the doctor; he traveled to aid those from community to community. Dr. G.T. Key was a minister and a doctor. Mrs. Eleanor Jane Key, one of those grandchildren of Dr. George T. Key, graduated from Aubrey High School with Lillian Ruth Goin. Eleanor Jane Key was a teacher in Aubrey for many years.