One of the first times we traveled through Crockett, we discovered this old building.
It’s hard to convey the shock of seeing such a HUGE building appear in such a small town. We had to stop and look at the historical marker.
(The text on the historical marker above can also be read on the Texas Historical Commission’s website.)
As the plaque states, the site once contained 12 buildings. This one — called Mary Allen Hall — is the only remaining building.
For you history buffs, a timeline of the Seminary’s history is provided here and here, and on Wikipedia. Very detailed information about the building and history of the Seminary are provided here. It’s also mentioned briefly on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s site.
The Mary Allen Seminary is now owned by the Mary Allen Museum of African American Art and History who is planning to restore the building. Their website states that the building has “suffered deterioration, fire, neglect and natural disasters dating from 1912 to the early seventies”.
It used to be quite grand way back when.
… and full of life as shown by this old photo provided on this blog.
Speaking of life, some have claimed to have heard ghost-like noises within it’s walls.
I can’t claim that I heard anything unusual. I didn’t walk inside because the view from the front door looked rather frightening. These sepia tone images sure make it look haunted.
One thing I do know: this building and its history are fascinating!
Such a beautiful building in it’s hey-day. I hope they can restore it eventually to it’s full glory!! My mother was born in Crockett, I will have to show this to her, to see if she remembers it. It’s sad that older buildings fall to such disrepair and most are eventually demolished! The architecture from days gone by is lost, and usually it’s SO much more detailed than anything that you see now. Back then, builders took PRIDE in their work, and built solid, steady, beautiful buildings. Thanks for sharing!!
I totally agree. I would love for every old house and building to be restored, including this one. I imagine it will take at least a million dollar investment. Hopefully, they’ve been pursuing grant funds. If you’ve never driven by this building, Dawn, I encourage you to do so. It is really that amazing to see this huge place just appear out of nowhere. I hope they can, too.
P.S. One of these days we have got to meet in person. We have just too many things in common!
That is so awesome, Kim. Thank you for sharing.
You’re so welcome, Kendal!
Wow! How interesting. Amazing what you run across when you’re taking the slow roads.
That’s for sure!
Wowed! So glad to find your blog. This is right down my alley. Thanks, Sarah
Awesome … and ditto!
I found your blog yesterday morning and I have done little else but read your past posts and follow links, lol. I love it all! I visited Crockett along about the years when this school was either still functioning or the year it closed down, not sure, and never knew about it either. I am a native Texan living in North Carolina but we are going to move back in a few months. (Central Texas) Sometime in the future we will be building and I hope to recreate some of the looks you have achieved. Your home is amazing!
Jo, I’m so delighted you found my blog! Hopefully, we can help you with some reclaimed materials when the time comes.
I grew up in Crockett Tx…(age 8-18)….lived just a short walk away from this awesome old historic building. Actually, my adoptive parent/Mother attended Mary Allen College (as it was called back-when) in her college years. Seeing this pictured/pinned here on Pinterest is a welcome sight for my Crockett-Texas eyes….as I reminisce of those wonderful years. As well, I have witnessed up-close and personal, the gradual decay…from those years past. What a wonderful quest and act of goodwill for you to take on this enormous task of restoring/rebuilding this magnificent piece of history…a Monumental Landmark restoration for the City of Crockett, TX! God Bless you in this…all your endeavors.
Vanessa, thank you for your note! Glad to know a little more history about the place. Please note that we are not restoring the old building, but I hear that someone is. However, the last time I saw it, it had fallen into such disrepair that it will cost millions to save it.