Mexia in Limestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Dunbar High School

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

1. Site of Dunbar High School Marker

Inscription. Public education efforts for African American students in Mexia began in 1883 with a school on Herman Street. After fire destroyed it, trustees selected this site for a two-story brick schoolhouse built in 1915. T. K. Price was principal at the time. The school was named for Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906), a noted African American author and poet from Ohio. The schoolhouse had ten large classrooms and an auditorium. In 1948, it was razed and replaced with a large one-story school that served until integration in 1968. Later used for other classes, the structure was eventually demolished, but the site remains an important reminder of early education in Mexia.

Erected 2005 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13854.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 31° 40.777′ N, 96° 29.456′ W. Marker is in Mexia, Texas, in Limestone County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and S Denton Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 603 W Main Street, Mexia TX 76667, 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. John's A.M.E. Church (approx.

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0.3 miles away); St. Paul Industrial College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Town Named for Gen. Jose Antonio Mexia (approx. half a mile away); The First Presbyterian Church (approx. half a mile away); Origin of the Texas State Teachers Association (approx. half a mile away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); L. P. Smith House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Miss Rogers' Music Room (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mexia.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

2. Site of Dunbar High School Marker

The ground plaque under the main marker.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

3. Site of Dunbar High School Marker

The closeup view of both markers.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 13, 2026

4. Site of Dunbar High School Marker

The view of the marker from across the street.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 73 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.