University Junior High School

Jun 5

Opened in 1933, University Junior High (UJH) was a joint project of the University of Texas and Austin ISD, serving as both a public school and a training facility for student teachers at the University. Designed by Paul Philippe Cret, an Ecole des Beaux-Arts-educated architect renowned for his work on iconic UT buildings like the Tower, UJH reflected the Spanish Revival style. It played a pivotal role in the desegregation of Texas public schools, voluntarily integrating in 1957. UJH ceased operation as a public school in 1967 and was subsequently repurposed by the University for various academic functions. Since 1993, it has housed the School of Social Work.

May 2024: Despite maintaining its historic and structural integrity, the University of Texas Athletics Department has announced plans to demolish UJH this summer for a new football practice field. This proposal disregards the building's architectural, historical, and cultural significance. Advocates, organized under the coalition "Save The Past For the Future," are campaigning for the preservation or adaptive reuse of UJH. They argue that protecting this historic resource not only honors its role in promoting social equality but also aligns with environmentally responsible campus development practices.

UPDATE: On September 23, 2024, the University of Texas began demolition of the University Junior High building after receiving a demolition permit from the Texas Historical Commission.