Downtown in Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of A.J. Moore High School

A.J. Moore High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 3, 2025

1. A.J. Moore High School Marker

Inscription. In 1875 professor A.J. Moore of Paul Quinn College, concerned over the lack of quality education for Waco's negro population, began teaching small groups of children in his home. The first schoolhouse, a frame building that had been relocated east of this site, had formerly served as a hospital. In 1923, the frame schoolhouse was replaced with a brick building. The school was renamed for its founder, A.J. Moore, who served as principal from 1881 to 1905.

As the first school in Waco designated to educate the city's negro youth, A.J. Moore High School was an important institution in the community. Until 1952, Moore High housed students from grades one through twelve from 1952 to 1971 it served grades seven through twelve only. Moore High was closed in 1971.

More than 4,000 students were graduated form A.J. Moore High School during its nearly 100 years of service. Many of them have made significant contributions in the fields of education, medicine, religion, law, public health, business, engineering, law enforcement, social services,theater, sports, and military service.

Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission.

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(Marker Number 53.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 31° 33.386′ N, 97° 7.358′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is in Downtown. It is on Clay Avenue north of S University Park Dr, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44 Clay Ave, Waco TX 76706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. James United Methodist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of First Church Building in Waco (approx. 0.2 miles away); 143rd Infantry 36th Division Memorial

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 3, 2025

2. A.J. Moore High School Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); General Richard Harrison (approx. ¼ mile away); Waco (approx. ¼ mile away); The Original Fort Fisher (approx. ¼ mile away); The Texas Rangers and the Fence Cutters (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 21, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.