School in this community was held 1840-80 in a log cabin used also for church and community activities. Cotton gin and grist mill of Dial family attracted settlers. Dial Post Office opened May 24, 1880. In July 1880 a site was provided for academy which gained renown under a superior educator, Robert W. Lane (1825-91), a Confederate veteran. One of later (1903-05) teachers in Dial community was the Hon. Sam Rayburn (1882-1961), United States Congressman from Texas 1913-61, who set a record of 17 years as Speaker of the House of Representatives.