Current:Home > MarketsA Texas school that was built to segregate Mexican American students becomes a national park -GrowthInsight
A Texas school that was built to segregate Mexican American students becomes a national park
View
Date:2025-04-14 10:55:50
A west Texas school built in 1909 for Mexican and Mexican American students as part of “separate but equal” education segregation was designated Wednesday as a national park.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland formally established the Blackwell School National Historic Site in Marfa, Texas, as the nation’s newest national park and the seventh national park unit designated by President Joe Biden.
“This site is a powerful reminder of our nation’s diverse and often complex journey toward equality and justice,” Haaland said in a statement. “By honoring the legacy of Blackwell School, we recognize the resilience and contributions of the Latino community in our shared history.”
The designation as a national park provides permanent protection to help tell the history of Texas school districts that established separate elementary schools for Mexican American children, according to the Interior Department.
The school in Marfa, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of the U.S.-Mexico border and 455 miles (732 kilometers) southwest of Dallas, was closed in 1965 with the integration of the Marfa Independent School District, the Interior Department said.
The site includes the original adobe schoolhouse and a classroom built in 1927. The buildings contain photographs, memorabilia, and interpretive panels that feature quotes and stories from students and teachers.
“The school serves as a significant example of how racism and cultural disparity dominated education and social systems in the United States during this period of de facto segregation from 1889-1965,” according to the website.
The site joins recent additions to the national park system that include the Amache National Historic Site that was a Japanese internment camp in Colorado; the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Illinois and Mississippi for the Black Chicago teenager who was abducted, tortured and killed in 1955, and Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park in Kansas for the the 1954 ruling that struck down “separate but equal.”
veryGood! (13661)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Jonathan Taylor refutes reports that he suffered back injury away from Indianapolis Colts
- Sam Asghari makes big 'Special Ops: Lioness' splash, jumping shirtless into swimming pool
- Malala Yousafzai Has Entered Her Barbie Era With the Ultimate Just Ken Moment
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Florida woman partially bites other woman's ear off after fight breaks out at house party, officials say
- Alabama health care providers sue over threat of prosecution for abortion help
- 4 crew members on Australian army helicopter that crashed off coast didn’t survive, officials say
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Rapper G Herbo pleads guilty in credit card fraud scheme, faces up to 25 years in prison
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- T3 Hair Tools Blowout Sale: Curling Irons, Hair Dryers, and Flat Irons for Just $60
- Blake Lively Cheekily Clarifies Her Trainer Is Not the Father of Her and Ryan Reynolds’ 4 Kids
- New film honors angel who saved over 200 lives during Russian occupation of Bucha
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- 'So horrendous': At least 30 dead dogs found at animal rescue that allegedly hoarded animals
- Suicide bomber at political rally in northwest Pakistan kills at least 44 people, wounds nearly 200
- Pitt coach Randy Waldrum directs Nigeria to World Cup Round of 16 amid pay scandal
Recommendation
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Kim Pegula visits Bills training camp, her first public appearance since cardiac arrest
Judge denies Trump's bid to quash probe into efforts to overturn Georgia 2020 results
Check Out the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for Deals on Free People Sweaters, Skirts, Dresses & More
Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
New Jersey’s acting governor taken to hospital for undisclosed medical care
Whitney Houston’s estate announces second annual Legacy of Love Gala with BeBe Winans, Kim Burrell
Musk threatens to sue researchers who documented the rise in hateful tweets