Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story referred to the Blackwell School as a national park. It is a national park historic site.
On the grounds of the Blackwell School in Marfa in the early 20th century, it was policy that students leave their native Spanish language at the door. If they broke this rule, they faced punishment, ranging from demerits to being placed in a closet. And according to a placard from the Texas Historical Commission, students were even made to scribble down Spanish words on slips of paper they buried in a mock funeral ceremony, vowing not to speak the language again.
Today, the school is known as the Blackwell School National Historic Site and stands as a reminder of pre-integration education in Texas. The Blackwell school was established as the only school in Marfa for Mexican American students, operating from 1909-65. On July 17, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the site’s official designation as part of the national park system in efforts to preserve the half-acre site and its storied past.
Previously, the park was authorized as a National Park site in September of 2022 after approval from President Biden with the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act. The bill prompted federal funding and cooperation with Marfa’s city officials to protect the site and acknowledge its history through exhibits and memorabilia displayed inside the original school building. Joining the Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, Blackwell will now receive federal protection and management.
“Today’s designation of the Blackwell School as our nation’s newest national park ensures that the rich history and cultural heritage of this significant place is preserved for future generations,” Haaland said in a press release. “This site is a powerful reminder of our nation’s diverse and often complex journey toward equality and justice. By honoring the legacy of Blackwell School, we recognize the resilience and contributions of the Latino community in our shared history.”
Visitors can see the one-room adobe building which houses the school’s original desks and photographs featuring teachers and students through free museum hours and private tours. For over two decades, the city of Marfa has maintained the site for events and educational opportunities that celebrate heritage and storytelling through community gatherings. In 2007, former students created the Blackwell School Alliance to advocate for the organization’s goals of uplifting the space.
Before receiving legislative action, the National Register of Historic Places listed the Blackwell School as meeting qualifications to become a National Historic site. The state of Texas also designated the site with a historical marker in 2010. Blackwell’s community work over the years helped generate the momentum to gain recognition on both state and federal levels.
“A complete history of America must include everyone’s story. The designation of the Blackwell School National Historic Site is an important step in telling a more diverse and inclusive history of the Mexican American experience in our country,” National Park Service director Chuck Sams said in a press release. “We are grateful for the dedicated efforts of many to save and share the story of the Blackwell School and its students in order to honor the alumni, family members and Hispanic communities affected by these practices.”