A ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of the renovated 1916 Building was held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. It's a historic moment in the history of Jarrell ISD. The 1916 Building was the District's primary schoolhouse for almost one hundred years. When Jarrell High School opened its doors in 2007, it was no longer being used as classroom space.

Shortly after, the building closed its doors and was unused for more than a decade. During that time, it started to deteriorate. In 2021, a bond committee was formed, and part of the bond package was to restore the building to once again serve the Jarrell community.

The two-story structure will serve as the district's administrative building and provide space for community meetings. Part of the first floor will also host school board meetings. Additionally, the first floor has a large meeting room, executive conference room, and welcoming lobby that will house memorabilia showing the history of the 1916 Building.

The building has a lot of meaning to the community. Generations of families attended school in the building, so there are many memories. The District was determined to ensure those memories were kept alive.

In June 2023, Jarrell ISD formed the 1916 Building History Committee. The committee's goal was to capture the spirit of the 1916 Building and display artifacts and memorabilia of its history and importance in the community.

The committee was made up of Jarrell ISD graduates from five different decades. For fourteen months, the committee searched through 100 years of Jarrell ISD history. They reviewed yearbooks, newspaper clippings, photos from as far back as the 1930s, graduation information, selected wall graphics, and other meaningful materials that recognize and pay tribute to the generations of families who walked the halls of the 1916 Building.

The committee members are Jessica Little, Andrew Sumner, Nanette Hughes, Tommy Sladecek, Susan Dotson, and Elizabeth Berumen.

Renovations to the 1916 Building were initially supposed to be finished in October 2025. A dedicated team of engineers, architects, and construction crews worked hard to finish the building fourteen months early.

Click on the YouTube link to watch a video.

1916 Building Ribbon Cutting & Open House