Lufkin Dunbar High School Historical Marker: A Journey to Fruition
Lufkin Dunbar High School stands today as one of the last visible reminders of the segregated school system in East Texas. Throughout its history, Dunbar gained statewide recognition as a powerhouse in both academics and athletics. Students excelled and earned state championships in Interscholastic League typing, choir, home economics, Future Farmers of America, football, tennis, and track.
In 1971, public schools in East Texas were fully integrated, and Dunbar lost its high school status. The campus was repurposed for elementary education and administrative offices. Similar outcomes were seen across East Texas—schools that had shaped generations of children, families, and communities saw their legacies diminished or forgotten.
Determined not to allow this to happen to Dunbar, its graduates began working to preserve the school’s history. In February 2023, Oscar Kennedy introduced the African American Library - Gregory Friends (AALG Friends) to the Lufkin Dunbar Alumni Association. Representatives from AALG Friends shared how they had successfully preserved the legacy of their campus—an urban Houston school also closed during integration. AALG Friends further invited the Alumni Association to participate in the library’s six-month Black History exhibits by contributing artifacts from the Lufkin Dunbar Hall of Honor.
In December 2023, the movement to preserve Dunbar’s legacy gained momentum, when a group of graduates met and identified the establishment of a Texas Historical Marker as a key strategy. In January 2024, Oscar Kennedy met with the Angelina County Historical Commission to learn the application process.
Later that month, Kennedy met with Emily Hyatt and Carol Riggs of the Angelina County Historical Commission to begin preparing the application. Seeking official approval from Lufkin Independent School District Board of Trustees, he presented the Historical Marker project during a board workshop. On April 18, 2024, the LISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the request. On April 23, 2024, the application was completed and submitted to the Texas Historical Commission.
Because of the large volume of applications, the review timeline is extensive. Lufkin Dunbar received notification of approval in July 2024, along with the required fee of $2,300. This exciting milestone called for a strategic team to carry the project across the finish line. A group of Dunbar graduates, community leaders, business owners, and educators was assembled for this purpose.
In August 2024, the strategic team, Oscar Kennedy, Vincent Beamon, Brenda Tankersley, Monica Peters-Clark, Sellestine Hunt, Eric Chinn, and Charles Chatman (absent) met in Houston to tour the Gregory Center, finalize the organizational structure, and discuss fundraising options. The group selected the name Friends of Lufkin Dunbar (FOLD) to reflect its commitment to preserving Dunbar’s legacy. FOLD immediately began identifying potential donors and sponsors to underwrite the marker’s cost.
Later that month, the Gregory Center generously contributed funds covering the entire marker expense. In October 2025, the marker arrived at the History Center in Diboll, Texas—marking the completion of a significant phase in a long and meaningful journey.
This Historical Marker secures Lufkin Dunbar High School’s place in the history of East Texas, preserving not only its edifice but also the remarkable stories, achievements, and spirit of those who walked its halls. One of our most popular items. Perfect for everyday use. Exceptional quality and choice.
