William Decker Johnson Hall

William Decker Johnson Hall, located on the former Paul Quinn College campus in Waco, Texas, was designed in the early Twentieth Century by William S. Pittman (1875-1958), the first Black architect to practice in Texas. It is 1 of 6 structures still standing in Texas by the renowned architect.

The three-story building (36,000sq ft) with a basement served at one time as a chapel, dining hall, dormitory, and library and provided classroom space as the curriculum expanded and the student population at Texas' first Historically Black Liberal Arts College grew. Historic photos prominently capture W.D. Johnson Hall as a backdrop to student and faculty portraits, pictures of ceremonial events, and daily campus life.

After having sat vacant for decades, local leaders are working hard to ensure it is brought back to life so that it can continue to serve East Waco and beyond for generations to come. Over the last 24 months, significant progress in redevelopment efforts has been achieved. In 2021 and 2022, the Texas Main Street program completed a rehabilitation study, and the City of Waco funded an engineering study for the property. Both reports confirmed that the building’s condition is endangered, however, the engineering study also demonstrated that the structural integrity of the building, while in jeopardy, can and should be rehabilitated. The Texas Main Street Program report helped Quinn Campus Inc. and other local organizations to better understand the property’s historical significance.

These reports have been instrumental in ushering in significant momentum for the rehabilitation of the property. This fall, the Texas Historical Commission made an initial determination of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A, in the areas of Education and Ethnic Heritage and Criterion C., in Architecture.