History of Tilley School in Orange, Texas explored and explained.

Tilley School was one of the most well known schools of Orange County and Orange, Texas. It is where Lamar State College-Orange was established. Tilley School was an elementary school called Tilley Elementary School which operated from 1942 to 1967.


Tilley School was named in honor of William Tilley, a local resident who was killed in World War II whilst serving as a soldier.

Tilley School (Tilley Elementary School) was built in 1942 in the Riverside neighborhood of Orange, Texas where the former US Naval Station - Orange once was located on East Park Avenue. No major renovations were made to the school as it operated overtime. Principal for the Tilley School was Mary Lynn Weir.

In 1967, the school closed for whatever reason. This left the school to become vacant for some years. Lamar University would operate Lamar State College-Orange here a couple of years later after finding out the abandoned school needed to be repurposed.

In the fall of 1969, Lamar University opened its first extension center (Lamar State College-Orange) in Orange with classes held in the old Tilley Elementary School. The former principal's office became the office for the Center's director and secretary. The cafeteria became a student lounge. Floors to some of these rooms were varnished. It was also called Tilley Tech. (Ref: The Redbird, An Essay on 'Tilley Tech, p. 12, February 6, 1970)

In 1971 the former Tilley Elementary School building was destroyed by fire. Nothing remained afterwords. Everything salvageable was burnt to a crisp. Lamar University purchased of former Sabine Supply Company building after a community-wide fundraising effort of more than $250,000. Lamar State College-Orange relocated to 410 Front Street where the college remains today.

(Ref: The Portal to Texas History, Lamar State College - Orange)
(Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/partners/LAMAR/)


Tilley School was located at East Park Avenue, Orange, Texas, US 77630.