Zona Luce Building

 (1929 - present)

The Zona Luce Building, circa 1929, is shown in this photo, courtesy of the Prickly Pear

This building was named in honor of Zona Luce for the gift of 640 acres of land, given by her and her husband, J. N. Luce, of Spur, Texas.

Design and Construction

The architect for the building was Nichol & Campbell.  The contract for construction was awarded on April 29, 1929 to Balfanz Construction Co.  The building was erected at a cost of $38,773.

The changes to the outside of the building include the windows, doors and the removal of the front porch.  The original double-hung white wood frame windows were replaced in the 1997 renovations with similar looking windows.

The original front porch and pillars, as seen in the photographs to the right, were removed around 1940.  The porch had come loose from the building and the trustees were concerned that a strong west wind would bring it down.

At the time of construction, the hallway and restroom floors were concrete and the classrooms and offices had wood floors.  The interior woodwork was stained in walnut including the doors, wall base and shoe, chair railing and picture molding.  The walls and ceilings were plastered and painted a light creme and light brown.  The furnishings were all walnut or brown in color.

Floor Plans

This building housed the elementary school (then called the training school) and the high school (then called the academy):

• First Floor
• Five classrooms
• Restrooms
• Office
• Storage room
   
• Second Floor
• Four classrooms
• Library stack and reading rooms
• Principal's office
• Science room
• Restrooms

The dirt work began for the Zona Luce Building in 1929. Photo courtesy of the Prickly Pear.

This photo shows the front porch of the Zona Luce Building, circa 1932. Photo courtesy of the Prickly Pear.

This photo shows the front of the Zona Luce Building, circa 1933. Photo courtesy of the Prickly Pear.

First Floor Plan
8½" x 11" PDF (755 KB)

Second Floor Plan
8½" x 11" PDF (746 KB)