BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont said goodbye to a historic school campus that is set to be demolished next month.
The building which was once Central High School is set to be demolished in June and former students and staff gathered to say goodbye.
Former students from every generation were sad to see the building go. While the historic campus is in its final days, everyone who showed up to the event proved their school pride will last forever.
"Our history is very deep in the royal purple," said former Beaumont High School student and teacher Dr. Jimmy Simmons.
Dr. Simmons is one of the many alumni who bid the school an emotional farewell.
"My father graduated from Beaumont High School. I graduated from Beaumont High School. My sister graduated from Beaumont High School," he said.
The facility went by many names over the years, including Beaumont High School, Beaumont Charlton-Pollard High School and Central High School, which was in service until 2018.
"When I moved to Beaumont High, Jimmy Simmons came to Beaumont High," Charles Henson, Beaumont High School alumni, class of '69.
Henson made the long drive from New Mexico to represent the class of '69.
"I haven't been back since I left Beaumont. If I could touch or feel this place one more time, my heart is racing just being here," Henson said.
PIECE OF HISTORY | Reserve a brick from the historic building
Beaumont High School merged with Charlton-Pollard High School to form Beaumont Charlton-Pollard High School in 1975.
"I played baseball, three-year letterman in football," said Grayland Noah, Beaumont Charlton-Pollard High School alumni, class of '80.
Noah remembers the 1975 merger that brought students from the farthest reaches of Beaumont together.
"North End, Bay Orchard, South End, Bevil Oaks, some West End. I enjoyed the comradery and we're still doing it today," he said.
It was an emotional sendoff that reunited hundreds of former classmates and staff members.
"It's emotional. I've been emotional all day. This school has been in my family history for decades. go jags!" said Nancy Smith, Mya Jenkins, Kailyn Barker, Central High School class of '20.
You can keep a piece of the campus' history by reserving a brick from the historic building. You can find the form here.