Marfa's Blackwell School Designated as 430th National Park Site

MARFA, TX – The Department of the Interior officially recognized the Blackwell School in Marfa as the 430th national park site. The designation comes following the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act, introduced by Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) alongside U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). This legislation, signed into law in 2022, instructed the National Park Service to preserve the Blackwell School as a national historic site.

“The Blackwell School is a cornerstone of our Mexican American heritage,” Congressman Gonzales said. “This site’s designation ensures that the stories of Blackwell students are preserved for future generations. It’s also a catalyst for economic development and tourism in Marfa and West Texas. I extend my thanks to the National Parks Conservation Association, the Blackwell School Alliance, alumni, and my Senate colleagues John Cornyn and Alex Padilla for their efforts in making this possible.”

From 1909 to 1965, the Blackwell School was the only public educational institution for Mexican American children in Marfa. As one of the few national park sites dedicated to Latino history in the U.S., Blackwell holds significant cultural value. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, meeting the requirements for national park status.

Blackwell School’s history reflects a broader narrative of segregation in the American Southwest. Although Texas law did not mandate segregation for Hispanic students, many districts, including Marfa, practiced it. Beginning in 1892, Hispanic students were separated into different schools, and Blackwell became their primary institution. Initially called the "Ward" or "Mexican School," it was renamed after Jesse Blackwell, a long-serving principal. The school closed its doors in 1965 after the integration of the Marfa Independent School District.

Today, the Blackwell School site consists of two remaining buildings from its former campus. The original 1909 adobe schoolhouse, once crowned with a bell tower nicknamed “the Cathedral,” and a small annex called the Band Hall, built in 1927, still stand as testaments to the school’s past. Though altered over time, these structures maintain their original adobe and clay tile construction, showcasing the local craftsmanship of the era.

Visitors can explore the site, learning from interpretive panels, photographs, and memorabilia that recount the experiences of students and teachers. The National Park Service plans to improve accessibility to the site in future projects.

The site is currently open to the public with limited hours, offering visitors a glimpse into a bygone era and the lives of the students who attended Blackwell.