Gary’s Roosevelt High School named one of America’s most endangered historic places

GARY, Ind. — Roosevelt High School in Gary has been named one of the country’s most endangered places.

The school, located steps away from the Jackson family home on 25th Avenue, was closed in 2020 after pipes burst the previous year.

Roosevelt was built in 1930 exclusively for African American students as the United States was still segregated at the time. At its peak, it housed over 3,000 students — making it one of the largest African American high schools in the Midwest.

Repair costs for the school, which is already listed in the National Register of Historic Places, are estimated to be $20 million.

The school was recently named one of 11 most endangered historical places for 2024 by the National Trust of Historic Preservation. The annual list has included over 350 sites over the years with only a few lost, according to the organization.

A coalition, including the alumni association and Indiana Landmarks, announced Wednesday that they’re exploring feasible reuse strategies for Roosevelt now that it will no longer be used as a school.

“Hearing the stories of community members and alumni, we are inspired by Roosevelt High School’s lasting cultural importance. By including Roosevelt High School on the endangered list, we hope to support the new vision for the site,” said President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Carol Quillen. “The building was still a functioning school just five years ago, so by taking incremental steps, restoring and adapting the property is an entirely attainable goal. We stand behind the many incredible advocates determined to preserve the iconic property and adapt it for uses that serve the surrounding community.”

Roosevelt was in the Gary School Corporation until 2012 when it was taken over by the Indiana Department of Education. It was a charter school at the time of its closure.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.