Roosevelt School Auditorium
In 1921, Mission ISD built the South Mission Grammar School as a segregated school for the purpose of educating Mexican-American children. Located in south Mission on the side of the railroad tracks traditionally reserved for Mission's Hispanic population, the "Mexican School" was significant for its contributions to the city's ethnic heritage and association with the city’s majority Hispanic population. It was later named “Roosevelt School'' after Theodore Roosevelt. The Auditorium building was built in 1929 and was an integral part of the campus until the school was closed and subsequently demolished in 1968. The Auditorium, along with classroom additions built in 1949, were renovated and continued to serve as an alternative school until the 1990s when it was shuttered by the district. Despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Auditorium roof has begun to collapse, and the school district has floated the idea of demolition without providing any evidence that the structure cannot be saved. Community members interested in saving the building need positive publicity and a preservation plan to guide a grassroots preservation effort.
UPDATE 06/01/2023: Mission CISD began demolition of the Roosevelt School Auditorium on June 1st.
LOCATION: 407 E. 3rd Street, Mission (Hidalgo County)
DESIGNATION: NRHP, RTHL
OWNER: Mission ISD
STATUS: Lost
RESOURCE TYPE: Institutional
YEAR LISTED: 2023
