In 1936, Atlanta-Miller Grade School was constructed during the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to serve a small East Texas community. After 40 years of service as a center for education, the old brick building at the heart of Atlanta, Texas and its historic district found new roles as a multi-purpose and storage facility.

But time and the elements eventually took their toll. Just over two decades ago, the City of Atlanta condemned the building because of the unsafe condition of its floors and supporting walls. This icon of the area’s rich history had served generations of students, and members of our community worried that an important part of Atlanta’s cultural legacy might be lost forever.

In 2001, a group of dedicated citizens banded together to save the historic school building and bring it back to life. Atlanta Grade School Friends, a nonprofit organization, was established officially in 2003. The volunteers were determined not to allow the school and its rich history to fade away.

Fond memories of the school and the commitment to preserving it have resulted in a new mission and purpose for the iconic building. Atlanta Grade School Friends has raised funds over the years to stabilize and improve the historic building. Volunteers have held fundraising and visibility-building community events, they have encouraged media coverage about the work underway, they have sent out mailings requesting financial support and more.

The passion and commitment of a small group of generous citizens has spared the historic school building from the wrecking ball and salvaged an important part of the history of Atlanta, Texas!

Today, the school’s front exterior has been restored to its original color and appearance. The building’s structural revival is underway and its importance as a treasured icon of Atlanta’s cultural heritage is now assured.

A New Era

The efforts of Atlanta Grade School Friends over the past two decades have been highly successful, generating funding, enthusiasm, and broad-based support for the restoration of the school. The organization is now embarking on a new phase of work to complete the restoration, and to transition to a new purpose: a modern community center for programs of all kinds that benefit Atlanta, Texas, Cass County, East Texas and the State of Texas. In this way, our restoration has become a genuine community initiative, rather than just that of one well-meaning nonprofit organization.

We envision the auditorium could be used for stage productions, musical performances, reunions, conferences, receptions, seminars, and other community events. Former classrooms in the building could offer space for workforce development, digital access and support, artistic expression and art appreciation programs, wildlife education and appreciation programs, health and fitness programs, and more. Atlanta-Miller Grade School will become both a new historic site and “The Meeting Place” for the community and the region to use and enjoy.

A survey of our constituents in summer 2023 revealed the following preferences. Since then, we have added library and veterans’ services to the list.

88.41% | Arts, music, literacy and other cultural programming
71.01% | Family events
65.22% | Conservation education and outdoors-themed programming
60.87% | Chamber of Commerce, City and County gatherings
60.87% | Volunteer trainings for service organizations
55.07% | Health-oriented programming
55.07% | Conferences by local, regional and statewide organizations
53.62% | Workforce development training
53.62% | Venue for emergency operations and urgent needs
43.48% | Corporate trainings and meetings

The past two years, we launched in-depth discussions with key potential partners, among them the Atlanta Public Library, Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Historical Museum, Atlanta State Park and Cass County. Each of these organizations have expressed an interested in seeing the restored school become both a new historic site and a modern community center that is fully outfitted with the latest technologies. To read letters of endorsement for our work, visit ISSUU.

As of 2025, we understand the Chamber would like to explore the idea of moving its offices into the restored Atlanta-Miller Grade School. Atlanta Public Library would welcome more space in the school’s classrooms for educational activities, digital access and the equipment required to better serve the underserved in the community. Atlanta Historical Museum would like to partner on exhibitions in the restored facility as well. Discussions with potential partners continues. If you have an interest along these lines, use the secure contact forms on this website to reach us.

Phases of Work

Like the Three Rs of education – reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic – Atlanta Grade School Friends has undertaken the following fundamental phases of work.

1. Phase I: Restore (2002 through 2022 and complete)
2. Phase II: Renovate (2023 through 2026 underway)
3. Phase III: Revitalize (2026 through 2036)

If you would like to help make our dream a reality through a charitable donation to the restoration of Atlanta-Miller Grade School, please visit the How to Give page on this website.

For those wishing to make a major gift and meet with our Board members privately, use the secure contact form on this website to reach us (or email: atlantagradeschoolfriends@gmail.com). We have a detailed confidential case for support document (hard copy and digital), and we can also share with you. Thank you for your interest!

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Former classmates of Atlanta-Miller Grade School have moved on with their lives, and they now reside in locations ranging from East Texas to cities across Texas and America. Wherever they live and whatever they do, however, they are bound together by the memories of attending a small brick school on Miller Street in Atlanta, Texas. You will find many of them on the Facebook page of Atlanta Grade School Friends @atlantagradeschoolfriends.

Grade school is the foundation of education. The best K-12 education seeks to help students enter and graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and in life. Atlanta-Miller Grade School lies at the heart of Atlanta, and it embodies the education, history, and traditions of generations. Hence, our campaign is not only about bricks and mortar, but also about the lives and stories of the people of Atlanta. The mission of Atlanta Grade School Friends is to ensure this historic school building will always remain a place to mentor and nurture, and to preserve the heritage of Atlanta.

Won’t you join us? With your partnership and support, we will be able to continue our quest to bring the old school building back to life and open its doors and classrooms to new opportunities for future generations.

Atlanta Grade School Friends is delighted that Architexas has been chosen to plan for and professionally restore Atlanta-Miller Grade School. Architexas has been at the forefront of historic preservation in Texas for decades. This alliance will give our nonprofit organization’s work even greater credibility with philanthropists and partners who look for quality, especially when considering funding decisions. Once complete, our restored WPA-era school will become one of the leading historic landmarks of Texas.

From Architexas:

“Our passionate belief is that architecture should not be driven by stylistic preferences or passing trends …. With every project, we follow a process that begins with researching and understanding the context – the physical, historical, and programmatic conditions – within which we will be working. Each project is seen as an opportunity to create a carefully crafted response to a unique set of circumstances and client aspirations.

Although our projects are realized with a profound respect for the past and a rational understanding of present needs, they ultimately look to the future by serving the individuals and communities that will experience them for generations to come.”

Key liaison for Atlanta Grade School Friends is Alexis McKinney, AIA LEED APB+C and Managing Partner of Architexas.

Click here to see a “virtual tour” of Atlanta-Miller Grade School prior to restoration courtesy of Matterport.