DUNBAR SCHOOL
The City of San Marcos has completed Phase II of the restoration of the historic Dunbar School Home Economics Building, an important step in preserving one of San Marcos’ most meaningful historic places.
As the last remaining building from the former Dunbar School campus, the Home Economics Building is a lasting reminder of the students, families and community members who shaped the Dunbar neighborhood. Its preservation helps keep that history visible and ensures future generations can better understand this important part of San Marcos’ story.
“This building means a great deal to our community,” said Alison Brake, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of San Marcos. “Restoring it is about more than preserving an old structure. It’s about honoring the people connected to this place and making sure their stories continue to be told.”
Originally built for a whites-only school during the Jim Crow era, the building was later moved to serve San Marcos’ African American community around 1930 and became part of what would later be known as the Dunbar School, named in 1961 after Paul Laurence Dunbar. After integration in 1964, the campus became part of Dunbar Park. A fire in 1987 destroyed the original portion of the school, leaving the Home Economics Building as the only structure remaining.
Phase I of the restoration work began with repairs to stabilize the pier-andbeam foundation, which were completed in May 2024. Phase II began in September 2025 and included replacement of the existing metal roof, repair or in-kind replacement of missing or severely deteriorated wood siding, and window repairs. The work weatherproofed the building, secured the structure from further deterioration, and helped move forward the revitalization of the historic site.
“Our next step will be working with the community to help shape the future use of the facility,” said Brake. “The ultimate goal would be to reopen the building as a community space that continues to serve and connect the Dunbar neighborhood.”
The restoration, funded in part through a $150,000 Partners in Preservation grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is part of a larger effort to preserve the history of the Dunbar neighborhood. In 2021 and 2022, the City received grants from the National Park Service and the Texas Historical Commission to support National Register of Historic Places nominations for the Dunbar Historic District and the Dunbar School Home Economics Building, while also helping move preservation work forward.
To celebrate the completion of Phase II, the City will host a rededication ceremony on Tuesday, May 12, at 9 a.m. at 801 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Parking will be available at the Dunbar Recreation Center. Community members are invited to attend and help recognize the building’s history, its restoration, and its continued place in the story of San Marcos.
For more information about the Dunbar School Home Economics Building restoration, visit sanmarcostx. gov/dunbar.
