Friends of Bastrop Main Street
This beautiful old school, which is reminiscent of the Oxford Cambridge architectural style of many demolished former Morehouse Parish schools, is written indelibly in the soul of Morehouse Parish and in much of the region. The 1927 historic Bastrop High, which is located in the historic district of Bastrop, stands as a testimony to generations past that sought and valued education.
When the construction of the 1927 Bastrop High was complete, a new educational era began. The concept of a separate school for upper grades was introduced for the Morehouse Parish area. Previously all grades were taught in one building. Once the 1930 addition to the building was completed, the school included all the most modern technology of the time: a P.A. system, forced air ventilation, science labs, and a well equipped library. The gym, which is the central part of the building (a rare design for schools) and seated nearly 1000, was used frequently for community functions and events. For many years, Mu Sigma, the school's honor society, hosted a Mardi Gras in the large gym that was enjoyed by the community. Images of athletic, educational, and other activities are etched in the minds of the thousands of alumni that have graduated from the old school. When the building maintenance became a major cost for the Morehouse Parish School System in 1998, the structure ceased to function as a school and later it was totally abandoned.
Soon after Bastrop was designated a Main Street community in 2000, the newly formed Bastrop Main Street organization tackled the major task of finding an adaptive re-use for the building and of identifying funding for the project. They immediately requested the Bastrop City Council to annex the former school into the Historic District. The proposal was approved in the spring of 2001. Knowing this historic place mattered to many people, an application was submitted to the National Register of Historic Places. The building was approved for the National Register in December 2002. In 2003, the building was listed by the Louisiana Preservation Alliance as one of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites in Louisiana. To assist in fund raising for support of the 1927 Bastrop High restoration project, a 501-C-3, Friends of Bastrop Main Street, was formed because the place mattered.
The restoration of the building mattered enough to historic preservationists to locate a developer that shared their vision for the future of the former building. Tom Crumley, from New Orleans, joined with local historic preservationists in 2003 and has persevered through the many challenges of bringing together a successful $13 million project. Today, the building, which is a symbol of Bastrop's heritage, is being renovated as senior apartments.
Because this place matters, the 1927 Historic Bastrop High project has the potential to become one of the most award-winning projects in north Louisiana if not the entire state.
Does this place matter, yes indeed!
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