Mary Allen Seminary, building in Crockett, Houston County, Texas
Mary Allen Seminary is a four-story brick building constructed in 1887 and served as the main facility for a school in Crockett. The structure features Second Empire style with ornate roof details and intricate window frames, located on a hill north of the town square.
The seminary was founded in 1887 by the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen to educate African-American women after the Civil War. Following 1924, the institution modernized with Black teachers and improved facilities until closing in 1972.
The building represents the educational history of African-American women in Texas and reflects community efforts to create spaces for learning. Visitors can experience the structure and grounds today as a symbol of perseverance and progress.
The building sits on a hill north of the town square and is easily accessible by foot or car. Visitors should know the structure is currently damaged and undergoing restoration efforts, so only exterior viewing is possible at this time.
The school became the first Black junior college in Texas in 1927 and offered women higher-level academic training at a time when such opportunities were extremely rare. This achievement represented a significant step forward in educational access.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
