Mark in Texas History: Over a century of Black education and growth in East Texas at Jarvis Christian University

HAWKINS, Texas (KLTV) - Just outside of Hawkins is Jarvis Christian University.

It was established in 1904 as a school for Black youth.

The university is the subject of this week’s Mark in Texas History.

It was in the early 1900s when Ida Van Zandt Jarvis convinced her husband, Major James Jones Jarvis, to donate land to build a school.

In 1910, the couple deeded 456 acres on the condition that it keep up and maintain a school that elevates and educates black people.

The Jarvises also said the land would be used to educate and produce what they called useful citizens and earnest Christians.

The school first began as Jarvis Christian Institute and opened in 1913 with 12 elementary students.

The following year it added high school courses.

13 years later - a junior college.

Fast forward ten years and Jarvis Christian began offering senior college courses.

In 2021 this East Texas college officially received university status with new accreditation.

And today it’s a four-year school where students can pursue their master’s degree.

It was in 1993 when it was recognized as an historical landmark.

Three years ago, Jarvis Christian College formally became Jarvis Christian University.

The University covers 243 acres...and it sits on about 1,000 acres, so there is plenty of room to expand.

If you’d like to check out the campus and the historical marker head to Wood county.

The college is on US 80, about a mile east of Hawkins.