In 1936, Atlanta-Miller Grade School was constructed during the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to serve a small East Texas community. After 40 years of service as a center for education, the old brick building at the heart of Atlanta, Texas and its historic district found new roles as a multi-purpose and storage facility.
But time and the elements eventually took their toll. Just over two decades ago, the City of Atlanta condemned the building because of the unsafe condition of its floors and supporting walls. This icon of the area’s rich history had served generations of students, and members of our community worried that an important part of Atlanta’s cultural legacy might be lost forever.
In 2001, a group of dedicated citizens banded together to save the historic school building and bring it back to life. Atlanta Grade School Friends, a nonprofit organization, was established officially in 2003. The volunteers were determined not to allow the school and its rich history to fade away.
Fond memories of the school and the commitment to preserving it have resulted in a new mission and purpose for the iconic building. Atlanta Grade School Friends has raised funds over the years to stabilize and improve the historic building. Volunteers have held fundraising and visibility-building community events, they have encouraged media coverage about the work underway, they have sent out mailings requesting financial support and more.
The efforts of Atlanta Grade School Friends over the past two decades have been highly successful, generating funding, enthusiasm, and broad-based support for the restoration of the school. The organization is now embarking on a new phase of work to complete the restoration, and to transition to a new purpose: a modern community center for programs of all kinds that benefit Atlanta, Texas, Cass County, East Texas and the State of Texas. In this way, our restoration has become a genuine community initiative, rather than just that of one well-meaning nonprofit organization.
We envision the auditorium could be used for stage productions, musical performances, reunions, conferences, receptions, seminars, and other community events. Former classrooms in the building could offer space for workforce development, digital access and support, artistic expression and art appreciation programs, wildlife education and appreciation programs, health and fitness programs, and more. Atlanta-Miller Grade School will become both a new historic site and “The Meeting Place” for the community and the region to use and enjoy.
