The Old Wesson Public School in Wesson, Mississippi

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The Old Wesson Public School in Wesson, Mississippi was rebuilt in 1893 and has sat unused for years then a few years ago the school was renovated and now being used once again.

The Old Wesson Public School in Wesson, Mississippi – History

Originally built in 1883 but on December 8th 1890* the school burned and was rebuilt in 1893. The Old Wesson Public School was built as a two-story plus basement building in brick veneer Romanesque Rival Style. The old school had an industrial style very similar to the original Mississippi Mills buildings of the day (only one building remains). It is believed that the architect that designed the Mills may have designed the school or the architect may have took inspiration from the Mills. The school was in operation until 1960.

The school had grades 1st through 12th with chapel in the mornings (in the early years). At recess the children would play games such as, marbles, jacks, and softball.

According to the historical market erected in 1973 that school became Oswalt Youth & Community Center.

Eventually the school sat unused and in appearance look to be abandoned to visitors.

The renovation process of the Old Wesson Public School was completed in 2003 with the exterior work from 2 grants. Those were the Community Heritage Preservation grant through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and an Economic Development grant from the Mississippi Development Authority. Another 1 million dollars was given to renovate the interior.

Another renovation was done in 2012. I’m not sure what was done for that project.

After renovations were completed the third floor tower windows were left shuttered. If you look at early 1970s images of the school the tower windows were not shuttered. The school at one time had a bell. That bell was removed and can be found in downtown. I’m not sure what the towers were used for and would love to know more.

The School now serves as a community center that hosts community events, weddings, and conferences.

Saving the old school is important to the city because it is one of three remaining public buildings built during the town’s historic development developed by the textile industry still standing.

At some point I plan on researching the school a little more, there isn’t much information online and I need to speak with some contacts to learn more. I will update this article with updates and corrections as new information comes in.

My Memories of the Old Wesson Public School

My mother and her family have lived in town since my grandparents were kids. My grandparents and mother attended the College in town and the family farm still sits off Old HWY 51. As a child my grandfather and even my mother would take us around town and point out all the old family properties that belonged to family members at one time, what family members built what business and talked about Great Grandfather Captain Oliver owning the big mill in town and the list goes on. Now that I’m older I find myself fascinated with our family history and the history of Wesson and surrounding areas of Mississippi. There’s so much history here and many of the old stories are being lost as 0ur elders pass away.

The Old Wesson Public School was one of the few buildings in town that fascinated me the most. My earliest memories of the place it sat unused, vacant or abandoned. I never got a straight answer from my parents as to the place being abandoned or just unused. I remember in the early 90s visiting the school, it looked run down and sad. I really wanted to get in there in explore. But at at such a young age I couldn’t go in.

The pictures of the building are current as of this summer. I haven’t been inside yet and I hope to have the chance to photograph and see what the upper levels look like and learn more.