Old Jefferson named to endangered historic building list

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The Old Jefferson School in Cape Girardeau has been added to the state’s list of most endangered historic buildings.

The school is the oldest standing school building in Cape Girardeau. It is significant because it is the only remaining school that educated African-American student during segregation, between the years 1953 and 1955.

Jefferson took over as the African-American school after the John Cobb School burned down.

The building is already on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic preservationist Terri Foley says that the most endangered historic buildings list does not open Jefferson School to any new legal protections or funding avenues.

“It’s basically telling the Cape Girardeau community and the state of Missouri, look at this building. It’s endangered. It played a significant role. It’s a significant historical building. Something needs to be done about it or you are going to lose very valuable historic resource,” Foley said.

Guy and Rene Tomasino currently own the property and they are trying to sell it. Foley says that the building could be used as an office building, community center, health care clinic, or as an apartment complex, such as the old Schultz school.

Posted in: historic preservation,Jefferson School,National Register of Historic Places,Terri Foley