New historical marker cements legacy of St. Paul's Industrial College in Mexia

By Ryan Fite

The City of Mexia is filled with rich history, and right now the community is celebrating an influential institution that will be cemented in Texas history.

In the early 1900s, Rev. L. W. Thomas and The Primitive Baptist Church worked together to establish a college for Central Texas’ Black students. That idea ultimately gave birth to St. Paul Industrial College.

In 1912, Rev. Thomas found oil on his land, which allowed him to fund the school. Later in 1929, St. Paul Normal and Industrial College opened its doors to around 30 students. Over time, the school grew and allowed several Black people to pursue education and great economic opportunity.

Due to challenges set by a tense racial climate, the college shut down in 1953. However, decades later, historian and author Dan Keeling took his time to document St. Paul’s contributions to people in Limestone County.

In 2023, Keeling submitted proposals for a historical marker to the Texas Historical Commission to recognize St. Paul College. And after a two-and-a-half-year process, his proposal was accepted.

On Saturday March 15, dozens attended a ceremony commemorating the new historical marker for St. Paul Industrial College. Primitive Baptist Church minister John Richardson expressed his joy for the momentous occasion.

“It is exhilarating. It’s, it’s encouraging. And, and we’re looking at legacy look us in the face to say … listen, we planted something. Here it is. You guys can pick it up and run with it,” Pastor Richardson said.

Schuyler Carter, great-granddaughter of Rev. L.W. Thomas, said she’s proud of what Keeling and others have done to further the work of her ancestor.

“Being able to have this tie to Limestone County and the work that he did and how much he cared for this community he was from means so much to us,” Carter said. “So preserving that legacy is a huge deal to us. And we’re just so honored.”

It was an honor that Rev. Thomas Dansby from Upon This Rock Church prayed blessings over. Also in the ceremony, William Reagan from the Limestone County Historical Association spoke. He said Keeling’s marker proposal was just one of 40 approved in the whole state of Texas in 2023.

Reagan said the marker is more than just a place to mark a location. It’s a testament to the educational and cultural contributions of the African-American learning institution.

Reagan said, “It will serve as a guide, so those of now living…and for Limestone County generations to come.”

Preserving Black history is a passion of Carter, who makes YouTube videos under the channel name, TheMillenialArchivist.

Carter said, “In the times that we’re living in … DEI being under attack, I think that this is a major step toward preservation and preserving Black history in the form of Texas history. Because this is Texas history.”

In addition to preservation, Pastor John Richardson of the Primitive Baptist Association and others plan to progress the legacy of St. Paul, by building anew.

“We have plans for this property. Plans that include education, as well as worship and religion,” Richardson said.

Richardson, Keeling, Carter and other leaders took time to thank the Texas Historical Commission, the City of Mexia and everyone who attended the historical marker ceremony.

If you would like to visit the St. Paul Industrial College historical marker, you can find it near the intersection of College Ave. and Milam St. in Mexia, Texas.

Richardson said, “We want to make sure everyone knows what took place here, and that it becomes a beacon of hope and is an encouragement to do great things.”