Saving East Texas

PRESERVATION TEXAS

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

PRESERVATION TEXAS

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019 Saving East Texas 2019 provides an overview of Preservation Texas’ Most Endangered Places listings in the East Texas region, as well as useful information about Preservation Texas and how you can work to protect cultural and historic sites where you live.

1.0 / ABOUT PRESERVATION TEXAS Preservation Texas is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Austin. The organization receives no public funding and relies on membership dues, grants and donations for its work. A volunteer Board of Directors, drawn from a range of professional and community backgrounds, governs the organization and provides direction to its small staff.

The chartered purposes of the organization are broad and intended to enable a range of preservation activities: • To serve as an auxiliary to all agencies of the State of Texas concerned with our history, heritage, and the preservation and maintenance of significant areas, sites, buildings, monuments and artifacts; • To acquire, by purchase, gift, devise or bequest, with or without restriction, and to preserve, restore, maintain and present to the public those areas, sites, buildings, monuments, artifacts, documents, and objects which are significant in the history, prehistory, archaeology, architecture, heritage and culture of Texas; • To disseminate knowledge of the history, prehistory, heritage and culture of Texas; • To engage in historical and archaeological research on the activities of past Texans; and • To foster, encourage and develop a general appreciation and understanding of the

1. To serve as an auxiliary to all agencies of the State of Texas concerned with our

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019 accomplishments of past generations of Texans in order that the lives of present and future generations may be enriched.

The organization fulfills its mission through (A) Legislative Advocacy by alerting its members to important legislation being considered by the State of Texas and providing written and oral testimony at bill hearings; (B) Local Advocacy by intervening on behalf of local stakeholders who ask for support from Preservation Texas; (C) Educational Programs such as the biennial Legislative Summit in Austin and in-depth symposia on historic preservation topics of interest; (D) Honor Awards that recognize outstanding preservation efforts presented at the biennial Legislative Summit; and (E) our signature Most Endangered Places program, begun in 2004; more about this program will follow (Section 6.0).

Preservation Texas also owns Bassett Farms Conservancy, a 2,400-acre working cattle ranch and former cotton farm located southeast of Waco in Falls and Limestone counties. The Conservancy is being developed as a preservation and conservation training center and retreat. Founded in 1871, the farm and ranch was bequeathed to the Preservation Texas in 2011 by the late Mrs. Willie Ford (Bassett) Sparkman, and includes a range of historic, natural and cultural resources.

Programs will focus on developing historic preservation skills, while the property is being managed holistically to encourage native landscape restoration in harmony with continued ranching operations.

2.0 / PROTECTING HISTORIC PLACES This section provides an overview of programs and resources that can be useful to protect an endangered place.

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PRESERVATION TEXAS

2.1 / Historic Designations Historic places may be officially recognized as histor ic by f eder al, state and loc al governments. These designations serve a range of purposes; some tied to incentives and some tied to regulations. Just because a site has not been designated does not mean that it lacks significance; more than likely, no effort has yet been made to recognize it as almost all such designations are initiated at the local level by property owners, advocates, historical societies, preservation organizations or historical commissions.

However, efforts to save sites are often more successful when those buildings have federalor state-level designations. These designations give assurance to decision-makers, grantfunders and the general public that has welldocumented significance. Therefore, a plan to secure designation should be put in place for any endangered resource that is not yet designated.

The regulatory effects of designation vary.

Federal designation provides no regulatory oversight of historic places; state designation provides from limited (Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks) to strong (State Antiquities Landmarks) oversight. Maximum oversight is typically found at the local level through the designation of local landmarks and local historic districts, although some local ordinances are very weak and ineffective.

TEXAS HISTORIC SITES ATLAS The Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Historic Sites Atlas enables you to search for specific buildings and to see all of the sites recognized at the state and federal levels. Be sure to verify the information in the Atlas by contacting the Texas Historical Commission as no database is perfect. The website is https://Atlas.THC.State.tx.us.

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

FEDERAL DESIGNATIONS The National Register of Historic Places was created in 1966 under the National Historic Preservation Act. The process begins with submission of a comprehensive nomination form to the Texas Historical Commission. It is then reviewed by the State Board of Review before being forwarded to the National Park Service for final approval. In Texas (2019) there are 3,329 listings on the National Register, of which 366 are Historic Districts.

National Register properties are evaluated for the quality of their significance and must possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. They must be associated with significant events or significant people, embody a distinctive architectural type, period, method of construction, the work of a master, artistic value, or be likely to yield important information in histor y or prehistory. Cemeteries, birthplaces, graves, reli giou s s tr uct ures , commemor a t i ve properties and relocated structures are typically not listed, but there are exceptions.

Individually listed buildings and sites that are added to the National Register are classified as being of local, statewide or national significance. Typically, but not always, these buildings must be at least fifty years old. The Texas Historical Commission can work with you to determine if an unlisted building might be eligible for listing before a formal nomination is submitted.

Cohesive areas or neighborhoods may also be listed on the National Register as Historic Districts. A majority of the properties within a historic district must have historic significance and retain their historic character — such properties are known as contributing properties. Contributing properties are Page 2

PRESERVATION TEXAS afforded the same grant opportunities and incentives as sites that are individually listed.

For a site of exceptional significance, the National Park Service will very selectively consider nominations for its designation as a National Historic Landmark, a specific category that recognizes sites of special importance to all Americans. Thus the use of the phrases “listed on the National Register” and “historic landmark” are not interchangeable. Federal programs treat National Historic Landmarks somewhat differently because of their status, including greater protection if a federal project threatens to impact the site, or access to grants such as the Save America’s Treasures grant program.

Federal designation comes with no regulatory oversight by the federal government. The National Park Service plays no direct role in the planning, management or any other decision-making related to sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

However, sites listed on the National Register or contributing to a National Register Historic District may be eligible for the 20% rehabilitation tax credit.

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019 or site has a state marker does not mean that it is an RTHL. There are over 16,000 Official Texas Historical Markers; of those only about 3,800 are RTHLs. The majority of buildings or sites are recognized with what is known as a subject marker. A marker should have “Recorded Texas Historic Landmark” stamped at the bottom if it is an RTHL. There is a limited amount of protection afforded by the RTHL designation. A person may not alter the historic or architectural integrity of an RTHL without notifying the Texas Historical Commission at least 60 days in advance. Interiors are not regulated unless the changes impact the exterior or the structural integrity of the building.

State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs) are d e s i g n a t e d by t h e Te x a s H i s t o r i c a l Commission and are protected under the Antiquities Code of Texas. Any building listed on the National Register that is located on non-federal public land (state, county, or city) is eligible for designation. Sites can be nominated by any group or individual, and are considered by the Antiquities Advisory Board before a final vote by the Texas Historical Commission.

STATE DESIGNATIONS The Texas Historical Commission reviews and approves nominations for buildings to be designated as Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks. Landmarks must be at least fifty years of age or older and retain architectural integrity. Buildings cannot become RTHLs if historic features are obscured by non-historic materials, such as vinyl siding, or if they have been relocated within the last fifty years.

Nominations are submitted through the local County Historical Commission. Sites that are designated as RTHLs are recognized with Official Texas Historical Markers. It should be noted, however, that just because a building

The SAL designation is the most restrictive state-level designation available as it requires the property owner to consult with the Commission to determine if proposed alterations or demolition can proceed.

Archaeological sites may also be designated as SALs but do not need to be listed on the National Register.

The Historic Texas Cemeteries program began in 1998. Cemeteries receiving this designation are protected by a record of their boundaries in county deeds and future owners of adjoining land are alerted of its existence.

However, the designation provides no regulatory oversight over the property. Other Page 3

PRESERVATION TEXAS state laws govern the handling of human remains and cemeteries in Texas. Historic Texas Cemetery designation is required before applying for an Official Texas Historical Marker for a cemetery.

LOCAL LANDMARKS AND DISTRICTS State law enables local governments to create local historic districts. These are typically, but not always, accomplished through zoning amendments, creating provisions that govern alteration and potential demolition of local landmarks as well as new construction within locally designated historic districts. There is no standard set of regulations or guidelines in use statewide. While many local preservation ordinances are similar, each one is tailored to suit the needs and objectives of the community. Some communities are better than others in making information about local landmarks and historic districts available online; be sure to contact the local preservation or planning official for current information about landmarks, historic district boundaries, and relevant regulations.

2.2 / Preservation Guidelines The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards are applied to almost every decision made at the federal, state and local level relative to proposed physical changes to a historic place.

These Standards were established in 1977 by the National Park Service under the authority of the United States Secretary of the Interior and provide guidelines for Preservation (maintaining a str ucture as found); Restoration (uncovering, protecting and recreating features that would have been present dur ing a specific per iod of significance); Rehabilitation (protecting key character-defining features while modifying other parts of the structure for contemporary uses); and Reconstruction (rebuilding a

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019 known, lost historic structure using extensive historical documentation).

Museum properties and exceptionally unique structures are typically preserved or restored; buildings that are being put to new uses or that have lost much of their historic integrity are generally rehabilitated. Historically accurate reconstructions are uncommon and usually undertaken for museum sites or minor outbuildings on private property. Conversely, the standards encourage new construction to reflect contemporar y aesthetics using compatible materials, form and scale.

Information about the Standards as well as Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes can be found at: https:// www.NPS.gov/TPS/Standards.htm

2.3 / Preservation Briefs The National Park Service has published fifty Preservation Briefs that are available online at: h t t p s : / / w w w. N P S. g o v / T P S / H o w - t o Preserve/Briefs.htm These briefs cover a range of specific topics from Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings (Brief #2) to Preserving Grave Markers in Historic Cemeteries (Brief #49).

These technical briefs provide excellent illustrated examples to better inform property stewards about best practices.

3.0 / PRESERVATION TAX INCENTIVES Financial incentives are available at the federal, state and sometimes local level for historic preservation.

3.1 / Federal Tax Incentives Federal historic preservation incentives are managed by the National Park Service in partnership with the Texas Historical Page 4

PRESERVATION TEXAS Commission. Information can be found at: h t t p s : / / w w w. N P S . g o v / T P S / Ta x Incentives.htm A summary of these federal incentives follows.

Income-producing historic buildings that are certified by the National Park Service as historic structures (typically those listed on the National Register of Historic Places) are eligible for a 20% income tax credit based on the qualifying costs of the project. Eligible properties include commercial, industrial, agricultural or rental residential properties.

The charitable donation of a historic preservation easement to a qualifying organization such as Preservation Texas provides additional tax benefits. An easement permanently protects a structure and its site by prohibiting changes to the exterior (and in some cases interior) features and by restricting land uses. These restrictions are voluntary and negotiated between the landowner and the donee organization within federal guidelines.

The value of the donation is determined by a professional appraiser who considers the potential reduction of the market value of the property after the imposition of these voluntary restrictions.

The rehabilitation of large historic structures often make use of a combination of the 20% tax credit and the Tax Credit for Low-Income Housing (approximately 9% of project costs).

This strategy has been successfully employed to save, for example, the Plainview Hilton in Plainview, Texas.

3.2 / State Tax Incentives The Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit became eective in 2015. It provides for a tax credit of 25% of qualifying project costs for the rehabilitation of buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks or as

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019 State Antiquities Landmarks. Only buildings are eligible, and they must be used for income-producing or non-profit purposes.

State tax credits can be combined with federal tax credits.

Government-owned structures do not qualify unless they have been leased, typically to a non-profit organization for an extended term.

Non-profit organizations, despite not paying taxes, can sell their state tax credit. For example, a $100,000 church restoration may result in a $25,000 tax credit that can be sold by the church to a Texas corporation that pays the state franchise tax or state insurance premium tax. Tax credit brokers may also purchase a credit. The dollar value of the credit is negotiated between the tax credit certificate holder and the purchaser, typically somewhat less than face value.

3.3 / Local Tax Incentives Many local governments have adopted tax abatement or exemption programs to encourage the rehabilitation of historic structures, typically in historic downtown commercial districts managed by Main Street programs or in historic residential districts.

Details about these local programs can be found by contacting the City Manager or similar oďŹƒcial in the city in which a building is located. If your community does not yet have a local program, consider advocating for the establishment of such a program.

4.0 / PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAMS Federal, state and local historic designations for at-risk historic properties open the door to potential grants for restoration or rehabilitation. Grant funds are limited and highly competitive, and only significant historic places with urgent preservation needs

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PRESERVATION TEXAS are usually awarded these grants. A summary of grant programs follows.

4.1 / Federal Grant Programs The most significant federal grant program is the Save America’s Treasures grant program.

These grants are limited to National Historic Landmarks or buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance. Grants range from $125,000 to $500,000.

More widely used are Historic Preservation Fund grants, administered through the Texas Historical Commission’s Certified Local Government (CLG) program. These grants are available for historic resource surveys, National Register nominations, local preservation plans, local ordinance or guidelines development as well as repairs in CLG communities. Grants range from $2,000 to $30,000. CLGs must meet federal standards with respect to their local preservation regulatory system; CLGs in East Texas are: • • • • • • • • •

Longview (Gregg Co.) Marshall (Harrison Co.) Mineola (Wood Co.) Mount Vernon (Franklin Co.) Nacogdoches (Nacogdoches Co.) Palestine (Anderson Co.) Paris (Lamar Co.) San Augustine County Tyler (Smith Co.)

The Preserve America grant program remains authorized by Congress but in recent years has not received any federal funding. This grant program supported preservation planning activities designated Preserve America communities. Preserve America in East Texas are: • Canton (Van Zandt Co.) • Clarksville (Red River Co.)

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019 Marshall (Harrison Co.) Mineola (Wood Co.) Mount Vernon (Franklin Co.) Nacogdoches (Nacogdoches Co.) Palestine (Anderson Co.) Paris (Lamar Co.) • Pittsburg (Camp Co.) • Sabine County • Tyler (Smith Co.) • • • • •

Some grant funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture may be available for the rehabilitation of historic structures, particularly those that will be used for community economic development purposes.

The National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities will sometimes have grant opportunities that apply to historic structures being used for the arts or for museum purposes.

Visit grants.gov for more information about federal grant opportunities.

4.2 / State Grant Programs The Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Preservation Trust Fund supports historic site acquisition, survey, restoration, preservation, planning and heritage education relating to historic architecture and archaeological sites.

These are competitive grants that can provide up to $30,000 in funding.

Preservation Texas played a leading role in the establishment of the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation program. Since 1999, 70 historic county courthouses have received full restoration grants and another 26 have received emergency or planning grants.

The competitive program is administered by the Texas Historical Commission. East Texas counties that have completed courthouse restorations through this program are: Cass, Cooke, Fannin (under way), Franklin, Harrison, Hopkins, Lamar, Leon, Marion

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PRESERVATION TEXAS (underway), Newton, Rains, Red River, and San Augustine. Eligible counties in East Texas are: Anderson, Angelina, Camp, C h e ro k e e, D e l t a , Fre e s t o n e, G re g g, Henderson, Jasper, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Sabine, Shelby, Smith and Titus.

Bowie, Madison and Walker counties are not eligible.

4.3 / Nonprofit and Foundation Grant Programs S o m e n o n p r o fi t o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d foundations offer grant opportunities that have been utilized to save endangered places in Texas.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.SavingPlaces.org/grants) offers grants through its Preservation Fund; additional grant programs for historic African-American places and for Sacred Places have recently been initiated. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund supports historic interiors and the Southwest Intervention Fund is available for sites in West Texas.

Th e T e x a s H i s t o r i c a l F o u n d a t i o n (www.TexasHistor ic alFoundation.org) provides grants of up to $5,000 that have been used for restoration projects.

The Summerlee Foundation based in Dallas has also provided extensive grant funding for preservation projects across Texas. Regional community foundations are also an important source of donor-directed grants that might be available for your project.

Historic structures in railroad communities have benefited from grants by the BNSF Railway Foundation (BNSFFoundation.org) o r t h e U n i o n P a c i fi c F o u n d a t i o n (www.UP.com) depending on which rail line operates in the community.

Grants for building materials for small projects have been awarded by the Home

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019 Depot; big box building supply stores will sometimes donate materials and equipment with a letter submitted to the store manager.

Financial institutions that serve your community often have grant programs. Some may be directed by local branch managers; others require application to the bank’s national headquarters.

5.0 / HISTORIC PRESERVATION AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS For many people working to save a historic place, the role of different government agencies and organizations can be confusing.

Each plays an important but specific role.

Understanding what these agencies and organizations can (and can’t) do will help you chart a course for action.

5.1 / National Organizations The National Park Service (www.NPS.gov) is the principle federal agency governing historic preser vation programs. Most importantly, they oversee the National Register of Historic Places and the federal tax credit program.

Th e A d v i s o r y C o u n c i l o n H i s t o r i c Preservation (www.ACHP.gov) is a small, independent federal agency that promotes historic preservation across the federal government. It advises the President and Congress on national preservation policy, with a special focus on implementation of the National Historic Preservation Act. The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.SavingPlaces.org) is a private, nonprofit organization that manages historic sites, intervenes in preservation lawsuits, manages the 11 Most Endangered List, and provides Page 7

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SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

educational programming through its national conference. It is not a government agency and has no role in administering federal programs.

important resource, particularly if you are seeking historic designations for an endangered place.

The national advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. is Preservation Action (www.PreservationAction.org), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that works to develop historic preservation programs through advocacy for federal legislation in the U.S. Congress.

Local governments that have adopted preservation ordinances usually establish a historic commission, landmark commission or similarly named committee of volunteers.

These commissions administer loc al preservation programs, including local landmark designations, approval of historic building permits, and the development of preservation plans for the community.

Another important organization is Partners for Sacred Places (www.SacredPlaces.org), a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia that suppor ts ste wardship of active congregations in older sacred places through capital campaign training and technical assistance. The organization has a Texas office.

5.2 / State Organizations Th e Te x a s H i s t o r i c a l C o m m i s s i o n (www.THC.gov) is the state historic preservation office, based in Austin. As a state agency they administer state programs and act as a liaison for federal programs. With over 250 staff members, they provide assistance in a range of programs and also administer the state’s Main Street program.

Preservation Texas is the only statewide nonprofit historic preservation advocacy and education organization in Texas (Section 1.0).

5.3 / Local Organizations Most Texas counties have established a County Historical Commission (CHC). These volunteer groups provide countywide guidance to deliver educational programs, operate history museums, and advise the Texas Historical Commission on historic marker applications, for example.

Some CHCs are very active while others meet infrequently, if ever. Your CHC can be an

Local nonprofit preservation organizations operate independently of government and typically support advocacy and educational programs. Each organization is different; some administer historic sites, and some do not. Examples in East Texas include Historic Tyler and Preservation Longview. Cityfocused organizations often provide assistance to smaller communities in their home counties.

6.0 / MOST ENDANGERED PLACES LIST Established in 2004, the Texas’ Most Endangered Places list is the signature program of Preservation Texas. Over the last fifteen years, 162 sites and themes have been added to the list (an average of about 11 sites per year), of which only twelve have been lost.

The list is designed to provide statewide publicity for important historic places at risk of imminent loss. Sites are nominated to Preservation Texas by its members and selections are announced in February or March each year. Preservation Texas provides advocacy and technical support for these places when requested by local advocates. A list of East Texas sites that remain endangered follows.

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PRESERVATION TEXAS

ANDERSON COUNTY

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

MOUNT VERNON A.M.E. CHURCH ADDRESS

913 East Calhoun St., Palestine

DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

NRHP, RTHL, City of Palestine Landmark Fair A.M.E. Church Religious 2015

Organized in the early 1870s, Mount Vernon A.M.E. Church is the third oldest congregation of its kind in Texas. The present structure (1921) is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture. Suffering major roof and structural damage, it closed in late 2013.

In 2016, $18,000 was spent to brace the interior. In 2017, roof and foundation repairs were made with a $19,000 matching grant from the THC.

CASS COUNTY BLOOMBURG STATE BANK ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

201 Main St., Bloomburg None Poor Private Commercial, Bank 2005

Bloomburg State Bank was organized in 1908 and moved into its newly-constructed three-story building in 1918. It was and remains the tallest building in Cass County and the bank served counties in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. At one time the building also housed the telephone office and a masonic lodge. After the owner of the building gave it to the City of Bloomburg in 1968, the City later planned to demolish it. Concerned citizens purchased the building for $1.00 to prevent demolition. Vacant since the early 1980s, it continues to deteriorate.

ATLANTA MILLER GRADE SCHOOL ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

200 West Miller St., Atlanta None Poor Friends of Atlanta Grade School School 2006

Constructed in 1936 as a Works Progress Administration project taking 120 days to complete. The school is one-story, six-room building of locally made brick. As the community grew, rooms were added. Between 1975 and 1980, functioned as the Atlanta MultiPurpose Center. From 1990 to 2000, the school was used as a storehouse, receiving no maintenance. Water damage and neglect are principal threats. Since 2003 owned by Atlanta Grade School Friends; board reorganized 2017.

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PRESERVATION TEXAS

CASS COUNTY

OLD LINDEN FIREHOUSE ADDRESS

Corner of Taylor and Rush Sts., Linden

DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

NRHP Eligible Poor Linden Heritage Foundation Fire Station 2016

Linden Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1935; its fire station was constructed in 1939 for $750. The building functioned as a fire station until 1962. The building is wood on a concrete foundation; some of the materials were donated. About 1950, a structural clay tile addition was built at the rear. The exterior of the building is covered in stucco. Years of neglect resulted in deterioration and loss of windows, portion of roof, and interior damage caused by water infiltration. Purchased by Linden Heritage Foundation, a historic structures report was completed in 2017. Adjacent water tower constructed 1934.

GREGG COUNTY JUDGE J. N. CAMPBELL HOUSE ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

433 S. Center St., Longview RTHL Fair Preservation Longview Residental 2009

House was completed in 1872; bought by J.N. Campbell c.1895. Originally constructed in Queen Anne style; renovated early 1900s in Neoclassical style. Campbell’s brother, Thomas Mitchell Campbell (1856-1923), served as Texas governor (1907-1911). The house is vacant. A preliminary evaluation found evidence of structural distress caused by damaged floor joists, foundation settlement and water damage.

HARRISON COUNTY HARRISON COUNTY AIRPORT TERMINAL ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

2100 Warren Dr., Marshall NRHP Eligible Fair Harrison County Airport Terminal/ Tower 2016

Terminal was completed in 1953; multi-story structure was designed by Shreveport-based architect Joseph P. Schierer (1912-1999).

Building displays cleanly articulated brick and rusticated limestone exterior cladding, flat roofs, banded glazing and strong horizontal lines. It was built on a site deeded to Harrison County by the City of Marshall in 1947 for the development of an aviation facility in accordance with the National Airport Plan. Deferred maintenance and lack of funding for rehabilitation are major threats. Lease or sale to nonprofit would make it eligible for tax credits.

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PRESERVATION TEXAS

HARRISON COUNTY

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

SABINE FARMS COMMUNITY CENTER ADDRESS

FM 1186, Near Ponderosa Rd. between Gill and Horton Sts.

DESIGNATION

None

CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

Poor Sabine Farms Educational Society Rural Campus 2004

Sabine Farms was one of 200 New Deal Resettlement Administration communities and one of only thirteen set aside for African Americans. It was the only African American Resettlement community west of the Mississippi. Community Center included a number of freestanding log structures, several of which survive in advanced state of decay. Surviving structures are owned by Sabine Farms Educational Society.

HOUSTON COUNTY MARY ALLEN SEMINARY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

803 N. 4th St., Crockett NRHP Poor The Mary Allen Museum of African American Art & History Institutional 2007

Standing on the crest of a hill one mile north of the town square in Crockett stands Mary Allen Hall, the 1887 administration building of the former Mary Allen Seminary. The four-story Second Empire-style brick building is all that remains of this school for AfricanAmerican women built during the post-Reconstruction period. The Seminary was founded by the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and later became Mary Allen College. It closed in 1972.

LAMAR COUNTY GRAND THEATRE ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

21 Lamar Ave., Paris Contributing to NRHP District Fair City of Paris Theatre 2007

Constructed in 1937, the Grand was the largest theater in Paris for over fifty years, and its fly-loft was the tallest west of the Mississippi.

In 1996 a new theater was constructed. The already deteriorating Grand closed and later, the property owners abandoned the building.

In May of 2019, the Grand Theatre Project was launched to raise the funds necessary to complete restore the building.

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SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

PRESERVATION TEXAS

MARION COUNTY

CITIZENS SAVINGS BANK BUILDING ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

111 N. Walnut St., Jefferson None Poor Private Commercial Building, Bank 2008

The Citizens Savings Bank building was constructed in 1871 during a commercial boom in Jefferson. The property was sold in 1897 and is currently owned by a private individual. The two-story brick commercial building has not been maintained and has been vacant for many years.

JEFFERSON ORDNANCE MAGAZINE ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

Big Cypress Bayou, Downstream from Jefferson Boat Launch NRHP Fair Historic Jefferson Foundation Military, Storage 2014

Constructed in 1863 as part of a network of sites for the transportation of ammunition for the Confederate war effort. Strategically located on Big Cypress Bayou, what was a transportation advantage has become a liability as the erosion of the banks of the bayou has rapidly advanced to within seventeen feet of this modest structure. Site is in need of protection from the changing landscape which threatens to cause the collapse of the ten foot square building. More than 90% of the structure is original, with careful repairs undertaken in 1992.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY CLAY HOUSE ADDRESS

720 Bois d’Arc, Nacogdoches

DESIGNATION

None

CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

Fair Private Residence 2014

Constructed circa 1905; thought to have been designed by noted local architect Diedrich Rulfs. Built for Charlie Clay and his family, this structure is an important example of vernacular architecture in one of the most intact early 20th century African-American working class neighborhoods in Texas. Original front porch has been lost, but this threatened building retains important architectural detail. A temporary roof is in place, and the site’s advocates seek to raise the funds necessary to rebuild its foundation, repair failing structural systems, install a permanent roof and replace missing architectural elements. A grant application is pending for an abbreviated historic structures report.

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PRESERVATION TEXAS

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

NEWTON COUNTY DEWEYVILLE SWING BRIDGE Address

Sabine River/TX State Highway 12

Designation

NRHP

Condition Owner Building type Year listed

Fair States of Texas & Louisiana Bridge N/A

Built 1936-1938, it is the oldest surviving swing bridge in Texas (one of three). The bridge is threatened by demolition and replacement with a new bridge, or significant alteration by widening its road bed to accommodate increasing traffic over the Sabine River linking Texas and Louisiana. The project is being managed by the State of Louisiana. Preservation Texas has been designated a consulting party under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

ODOM HOMESTEAD ADDRESS DESIGNATION CONDITION OWNER BUILDING TYPE YEAR LISTED

194 CR 1041, Shankleville (near Burkeville) NRHP Good Private Residence 2015

Built in 1922 by A.T. Odom, a carpenter, building contractor, farmer, teacher and community leader. He built numerous structures including homes, churches, and courthouses and taught young men working for the Civilian Conservation Corps. His wife, Addie, mentored community women, ran the couple’s general store, and served as a supervisor of the Newton County WPA canning plant established for African-American women. Home stands an intact and rare example of African American life in the community of Shankleville, a post-Civil War Freedom Colony. Restoration has begun, and major work has been completed on the main house, smokehouse and crib barn.

STATEWIDE THEMATIC LISTINGS

Preservation Texas has included thematic listings on its Most Endangered Places list to encourage Texans to identify potentially threatened structures in their own community that relate to the theme. Themes relevant to East Texas include the following types of buildings, sites and neighborhoods: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

African-American Civil Rights Era sites African-American Freedom Colonies Barns Dams Depots Gas Stations Historic Cemeteries Jails Log buildings Municipal buildings (town halls, fire stations, and similar buildings) Rural schoolhouses Small-town banks Small-town theatres and opera houses Working-class neighborhoods

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PRESERVATION TEXAS

SAVED EAST TEXAS ENDANGERED PLACES

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

ANDERSON, RUSK AND CHEROKEE COUNTIES TEXAS STATE RAILROAD 2007 Most Endangered Places List

MARION COUNTY JEFFERSON PLAYHOUSE 1860 N Market St, Jefferson 2005 Most Endangered Places List

UNION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 520 Houston St., Jefferson 2012 Most Endangered Places List

SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY LEWIS RAILROAD HOTEL 500 W. Columbia St., San Augustine 2012 Most Endangered Places List

WALKER COUNTY SAN JACINTO SCHOOLHOUSE West Sandy Community 2005 Most Endangered Places List

Preservation Texas is the advocate for the historic resources of EAST Texas.

Cover Photograph: One of a handful of remaining buildings at Sabine Farms in Harrison County.

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PRESERVATION TEXAS

SAVING EAST TEXAS 2019

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