Palestine High School

Jun 5

Standing on top of a hill on the edge of Reagan Park, the iconic Tudor Gothic-style Palestine High School was designed by Fort Worth architects Sanguinet & Staats and completed in 1916. The building features polychromatic brickwork and extensive use of limestone, reflecting modern construction techniques of the time. It became a junior high in 1939, and later an elementary school from 1966-1976, when the school was closed. In 1981, the old Palestine High School building was rumored to be “slipping down the hillside” when it was slated for demolition. In 1986, its significance was recognized by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places and designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

Thanks to the efforts of former students and local advocates, the building was restored and leased to the Museum of East Texas Culture in the 1990s. This repository of the cultural history of the region closed in early 2024. In need of major structural repairs and electrical upgrades, the former Palestine High School faces an uncertain future as City officials search for a new owner and grapple with the expense of securing and maintaining the now empty building, while finding a long-term, economically sustainable use for this Palestine landmark.