Old Denison High School
Built in 1913, this school was constructed on the site of the original 1800s school. Located in a prominent downtown location, the striking architectural design still allows the abandoned school a presence that made the community proud when it was built. Additions to the building over time resulted in the huge complex that fills an entire city block. It was used by the school district until the 1980s, but is now vacant and deteriorating, only infrequently used as a haunted house on Halloween.
2007: The city of Denison plans to tear down the school as soon as they have raised the funds to do so. The Texas Historical Commission, the National Trust, and Preservation Texas visited the city to urge the mayor and city manager to reconsider their plans; citizens have called and written city officials asking them to save the building for re-use.
UPDATE: Old Denison High School was demolished in October of 2007
By mid-October 2007, the demolition of the 1913 Denison High School was completed except for the clock tower. The clock tower was purchased from the demolition contractor by the City and it remains on the site of the former high school building.
The demolition of the historic school came after months of organized protests of the Denison City Council’s decision by the group known as Save Denison History. Preservation Texas along with the Southwest Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Texas Historical Commission, and individuals across the country wrote letters urging the city council to consider the benefits of preserving the Old Denison High School.
ADDRESS: 700 Block of Main Street, Denison (Grayson County)
CONDITION: Lost
RESOURCE TYPE: School
YEAR LISTED: 2007
