A feat more than 20 years in the making, the designation of the Blackwell School in Marfa, Texas, as a National Historic Site by the National Park Service is a story rooted deeply in community persistence, trust-building and local pride.
For decades, school alumni, Marfa residents and dedicated advocates worked to preserve the school building, which served as a segregated institution for Mexican American children from 1909 to 1965.
Their efforts culminated in the official certification of the site in 2024, a milestone that UT San Antonio faculty, students and alumni played a key role in achieving through collaborative research, fieldwork and ongoing partnerships.
The Blackwell School’s journey from near demolition to national recognition is a reminder of the resilience found within communities determined to reclaim and honor their own histories.
Read more about this remarkable story in Sombrilla Magazine.
