Hopewell School
Round Rock, Texas
Today Old Hopewell School for Colored Children flaunts an updated appearance and a new use as it stands along the highway in Round Rock, Texas. The 82-year-old schoolhouse now functions as a teacher training and meeting facility for the Round Rock Independent School District (ISD) and the community. It also houses the latest in computer technology, as well as a mini exhibit that recalls the building's former use as an African-American school. This venerable old building, however, was nearly torn down.
Originally called Round Rock County Training School, and later changed to Hopewell School, the structure was built during the 1921-22 school year with plans and money from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. It received additional Rosenwald funding in 1926-27 to expand to five rooms. Closed to students in 1966 during desegregation, the school was used as a transportation facility by the Round Rock ISD for several more years before it was closed and the property sold. By 1999 the building was threatened with demolition.
The African-American community opposed the idea of demolition and the process was stalled for over a year while a committee of former teachers and students from Hopewell School studied options for relocation and rehabilitation of the structure. The flea-infested building had serious structural problems, including a rotted wood floor, termite damage, and an unsympathetic addition. Led by local architect, Keith Hickman, members of the community began to donate building materials to get the project started.
In addition to financial challenges, the rehabilitation was further complicated by a number of serious structural issues, as well as code and accessibility compliance for its new use. To meet current building codes, new floor joists and wall studs had to be constructed. Most of the original termite infested wood was replaced and the interior reconfigured. Salvaged windows from a 1940s-era schoolhouse took the place of incompatible aluminum replacement windows on each side of the building. In the absence of historical photographs, research on similar schools was conducted to recreate an architecturally accurate front elevation.
The Round Rock ISD agreed to have the building moved about four miles to the grounds of their administrative offices. The ISD provided moving costs and some labor. The remainder of the project was completed using volunteer labor and donated materials and funds. The building again resembles other five-teacher Rosenwald schools from that time period. While only a small amount of the original materials were salvageable, the building still gives a clear sense of its former use as a schoolhouse. Hopewell's new use as a teacher training and meeting facility will ensure that the community will value it for many years to come.
