Courtesy of Transwestern
Tarrant County's oldest standing school house, dubbed The School House on Lipscomb, at 319 Lipscomb St.
Traces of what once was Stephen F. Austin Elementary School remain in tact at 319 Lipscomb St. — Tarrant County's oldest standing school house, originally built in 1892 and currently up for lease in the Near Southside. Porcelain water fountains, chalkboards still marked with dotted lines used to teach children handwriting, and Victorian-style fireplaces are among dozens of features that hearken back to the days when children used to bustle back and forth between the halls — among those children, golfer Ben Hogan and actress Ginger Rogers.
The building expanded in 1910 and functioned as a school until 1977. Three years later, the Williamson-Dickie purchased the property, which subsequently underwent a historic renovation led by Fort Worth architect Martin Growald; and for the next four decades, the iconic manufacturing company would claim the school as its headquarters before moving to West Vickery Boulevard.
But now, real estate firm Transwestern is looking for the next tenant (or tenants) to usher in a new history for what's dubbed The School House on Lipscomb. At 21,548 square feet, the two-story structure comprises executive offices, conferences rooms, a kitchen, a spacious lawn, and more features available for future lessees.
Samantha Calimbahin
Transwestern principal Whit Kelly says tenants are welcome to make some updates to each space's design, though some elements have historic protections. The building showcases Romanesque Revival-style architecture, noted by large arches and heavy use of red brick and limestone. It's listed to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1983 for both its architecture and significance in Fort Worth public education.
Transwestern
Kelly says the school house can be a single or multi-tenant building. A few prospective tenants have expressed interest, but no deals have been finalized yet, he says.
"[The space] feels like law firm to me," Kelly says, "but could be the creative types — marketing, architectural, something like that, that can take advantage of the history in the way they utilize their space."
While Transwestern is serving as leasing agent, Red Oak Realty is managing the property. More information about 319 Lipscomb St. is available here.
Samantha Calimbahin
Many original elements, such as this fireplace, remain in the building. The fireplace is no longer functional.
