History

The later school seals give 1873 as the founding date of Lon Morris College.  This was the date that the New Danville Masonic Female Academy (founded 1847) moved to Kilgore, became co-educational, adopted a college prep curriculum, became sectarian Methodist, and changed its name to Alexander Institute to honor its principal, Isaac Alexander.  The school continued to upgrade its curriculum and, in 1909, became a junior college with a curriculum based on the first two years’ work at the University of Texas.  After attaining state accreditation in 1915-16, the school began, in 1919, to advertise itself as the oldest junior college in East Texas.  In 1924 it took the name Lon Morris College to honor financial benefactor Alonzo Morris.

Initially Alexander Institute separated male and female students with a divided classroom and strict regulations governing relationships.  But generally after 1909, those regulations were lifted as co-educational activities began to be a part of campus life.  The 1937 Alexandra shows that in addition to the yearbook staff, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, the Religious Council and the Ministerial Club, the college had no fewer than eight recognized social organizations.  More than half of the students were members of the Masque and Wig Society, responsible for all drama on campus.  The Women’s Chorus and the Men’s Glee Club combined  as a touring group which raised funds for the school.

Elementary grades were phased out, and by 1937 Lon Morris had only eight academy students in its 195 total enrollment.  All students were from Texas.  Enrollment increased after World War II, reaching 1000 students after the year 2000.  But as enrollment increased, so did indebtedness. Finally in 2012 the school was forced to declare bankruptcy and closed in 2013.