Butler College
Tyler, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Rev. Cornelius Moses Butler and trustees of the East Texas Baptist Association founded East Texas Baptist Academy in 1905. The academy was created to improve educational opportunities for African American youth in and around the city of Tyler. Rev. Butler served as the academy's first president until his death in 1924, at which time the institution's name was changed to Butler College. The school transitioned to a junior college and then a four year liberal arts college, before reverting back to a junior college in 1960. The association voted to close the college in 1971 because of rising costs. A heritage building was built on the Butler College site in 1992. (2008)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1905 the Rev. Cornelius Moses Butler and trustees of the East Texas Baptist Association founded the East Texas Baptist Academy to expand educational opportunity for African American youth around Tyler. Renamed Butler College after Butler's death in 1924, the school evolved from academy to junior college to a four-year liberal arts college before financial pressures forced its closure in 1971. A heritage building rose on the site in 1992 to mark its legacy.
Why it matters
Butler College stands among the Black-founded schools that, in the segregation era, opened the doors of higher education to African American students the mainstream institutions turned away.
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Related people
- · Rev. Cornelius Moses Butler
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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