Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Kerr Community Center

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Area
  
0 acres (0 ha)

NRHP Reference #
  
78003339

Added to NRHP
  
22 December 1978

Built
  
1914 (1914)

Opened
  
1914

Kerr Community Center httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Location
  
1308 Walnut Street Bastrop, Texas, USA

MPS
  
Bastrop Historic and Architectural MRA

Similar
  
Lake Bastrop, Lost Pines Forest, Bastrop County Courthou, Crocheron‑McDowall House, T A Hasler House

The Kerr Community Center, originally called Kerr Hall, is a community center located in Bastrop, Texas, United States. The hall was a gathering spot for the African-American community of Bastrop during the time of racial segregation in the United States. The structure was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1978.

Kerr Community Center is a two-story wood frame structure built in 1914 by Beverly and Lula Kerr on a lot directly behind their own home. The center hosted social events and artistic performances by black artists such as master blues pianist Roosevelt Williams, known to his fans as "Grey Ghost." During World War II, the structure served as a USO post for the black soldiers assigned to Camp Swift.

Beverly Kerr died in 1941 and Lula Kerr died in 1944. In 1946, some local citizens formed the Kerr Center Association and purchased the building from the Kerr estate. The center had an official dedication in 1952. The building received major renovations that were completed in 2007 including a small park and playground.

References

Kerr Community Center Wikipedia