Among the early settlers in northeast Castro County were George and Jim Arney, two brothers from Missouri, for whom Arney community was named. A school was started in 1901 for the children of settlers and ranch hands. The first schoolhouse, a one-room frame structure, also housed services of Arney Baptist Church, which was organized in 1905. Arney School operated until 1953, when it was consolidated with other districts. The school building then served as a community center and polling place. (1985)