Laurel, Texas – The owners of the former Laurel High School, a landmark built in 1910, opened the doors of the vacant building to the public on Thursday, seeking community ideas for its future use. The ownership group, operating under the name Locomotive LLC, purchased the 110‑year‑old structure at an online auction in July for $150,300 and is now gathering input on how to preserve the historic site while giving it new life.
Open house draws memories and suggestions
More than a dozen former students, alumni and longtime residents attended the open house, walking the hallways, gym and library that many remembered from their school days. “I used to run up the stairs for P.E. class,” recalled Michelle Mize, who attended middle school in the 1990s. “By eighth grade they stopped letting us up there for safety,” she added, noting the building’s aging stairways.
Former cheerleader Jeff Riggs, one of the owners, listened as a woman who cheered in the 1960s shared stories of packed gym crowds. “It’s just really fun to hear those memories,” Riggs said, adding that the owners want the renovation to honor the building’s legacy while serving current community needs.
Ideas range from museum to mixed‑use space
Attendees offered a variety of concepts. Kathleen Gilluly, a Laurel resident, expressed enthusiasm for a museum that would showcase the town’s history. “I’d love to see a museum here,” she said. Others suggested converting the space into housing, office suites, art studios, or a yoga studio. Lillie Grace, who graduated from the high school in the 1960s, simply wants the building maintained and kept up.
Anna O’Donnell and her friend Ashley O’Neal, both alumni from the 1990s, spoke about the emotional pull of revisiting the school. “When you’re this age, you know you’re losing people,” O’Neal said, noting the importance of preserving shared memories.
Owners stress flexibility and community partnership
Co‑owner Just Humphrey emphasized that the project is still in the conceptual stage. “We have nothing planned at this point in time,” he said, showing a few renderings that illustrated possible layouts but underscoring that community feedback will shape the final plan.
Local resident Dustin Hopkins, who lives across the street, described the experience as “pretty cool” and expressed hope that the building will become a vibrant gathering place again.
Next steps
Locomotive LLC plans to compile the suggestions gathered at the open house and hold follow‑up meetings with interested stakeholders. The owners said they intend to work with preservation experts to ensure any renovations respect the building’s historic character while meeting modern safety standards.
As the conversation continues, Laurel residents are encouraged to stay engaged, share additional ideas, and watch for future updates on the project’s progress.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
