We’ve Got Spirit: Beginnings – Early History of Abilene High School and Lincoln Middle School
Join The Grace Museum in an exhibition highlighting the early history of Abilene High School and Lincoln Middle School. Built on South 1st at Peach Street in 1889, the first Abilene High School was constructed to stand out on the major thoroughfare through Abilene. Another building was erected in the same location in 1909. With the significant economic and population growth in Abilene, high school enrollment tripled in the 1920s, creating a need for an even larger building. The David S. Castle Co. started drawing plans for the immense project in 1921 and construction began on the main building in 1923. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the 1909 building in 1924 and forced them to move into the new building prior to finishing construction. Several structures were added to the campus not long after to accommodate the growing activity. Post World War II Abilene brought another population boom, so in 1955, the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) built a new high school building on N. 6th and Lincoln Junior High School (Lincoln Middle School, 1985) moved into the old high school building on South 1st.
Sitting vacant since 2007, local community leaders and investors started creating plans for renovation and repurposing of the Abilene landmark. The massive structure will once again become a cornerstone and hub for community activity with Abilene Heritage Square, which will be home to the Main Abilene Public Library and a hands-on science museum called the Spark Science Center.
The exhibition will be a celebration of the historic Abilene landmark and the preservation of one of its oldest and most significant buildings. Along with the narrative of the history of the site, the exhibition will include reproductions of the David S. Castle drawings, historic photographs, and artifacts and objects from the site.
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