The Texas Historical Commission has been contacted by other Beaumont citizens regarding the fate of South Park Middle School, and we are very concerned by the proposed demolition.  A letter from our deputy executive director to the Beaumont ISD should be mailed shortly, likely tomorrow.  Unfortunately, apart from encouraging the school district to reconsider, there is little our agency can do to ensure a preservation-oriented outcome.  The school has no historical designations or other legal protection at the state level. 

There are two types of Official Texas Historical Markers: subject markers and Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) markers.  The marker for South Park High School is a subject marker, which does not carry any accompanying historical designations and affords no protection to historic properties.  It is not clear why the school is not designated as an RTHL.  Despite the fact that the historic windows have been replaced, the school is a commanding edifice and would be eligible for this designation.  Owner consent is required for nomination as an RTHL, and the school district may not have wanted the restrictions that would accompany that designation.  More information on our marker program is available on our website at http://www.thc.state.tx.us/markerdesigs/maddefault.shtml.  

Projects on public property are also subject to the Antiquities Code of Texas.  Unfortunately, this law offers stronger protection to archeological sites than historic buildings.  The law allows for designation of State Archeological Landmarks (SALs), which require a permit from our office for any major work.  While historic buildings can be designated as SALs, they must first be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  South Park Middle School is not listed, so a citizen-initiated application for SAL status could not be put forward.  More information on SAL designation and the Antiquities Code of Texas is available at http://www.thc.state.tx.us/markerdesigs/madsal.shtml and http://www.thc.state.tx.us/crm/crmantcode.shtml. 

I encourage you to continue to work with others who are interested in saving South Park Middle School.  Last week, I was involved in a conference call with some concerned citizens and Carolyn Howard, Beaumont’s Main Street Manager.  If you contact Ms. Howard at 409-838-2202 or beaumontmainstreet@beaumontmainstreet.com, she should be able to put you in touch with that group.  I also encourage you to involve the local preservation non-profit, Beaumont Heritage Society, in your efforts.  Their executive director, Darlene Chodzinski, can be reached at 409-832-4010 or darlenec@BeaumontHeritage.org.  Both Ms. Howard and Ms. Chodzinski will be copied on our letter.  Also, you may want to contact the Southwest Regional Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for additional guidance and assistance.  They can be reached at 817-332-4398 or swro@nthp.org.  

Please keep me posted on your progress and let me know if I can be of further assistance.