Photo by Shannon Wilson / Tyler Morning Telegraph The plaque in front of Lon Morris College states that it is the oldest junior college in east Texas, having been founded in 1873. Lon Morris College is being auctioned off on December 13th.

JACKSONVILLE — In July 2012, Lon Morris College — the state’s oldest junior college, founded in 1854 — declared bankruptcy and by the following February, a federal judge approved a formal liquidation plan.

In a property auction that followed, Jacksonville businessman Jack Webb won bids on slightly more than half of the 53 lots up for auction, including the former chapel, dormitories, ballroom and cafeteria.

During the past year, crews have spent time upgrading and maintaining the facilities, Webb told the Jacksonville Daily Progress. Work is underway to convert dormitories into apartments, and Webb also is hoping to renovate the former cafeteria into an event center.

Webb said he is hopeful this new venue “is something good for Jacksonville and for the property.”

Also located on the former college campus is Anderson Cherokee Community Enrichment Services — better known as ACCESS — a resource for residents of those counties dealing with brain and behavioral disorders.

Jacksonville Independent School District also acquired property from the Lon Morris Bankruptcy Estate: A gymnasium, an administration building and approximately 50 acres of land and assets for $1.53 million, according to a JISD release, which stated the assets amounted to $6.8 million in land and insurance value.

The gym and administration building were immediately put to use, and passage of a $22.8 million bond election in November 2013 is funding construction on a new West Side Elementary campus built on property purchased from the estate on College Avenue.

A recreation center once owned by the college — which purchased it from the city of Jacksonville — was reacquired by the city and renovated and renamed the Stacy D. Hunter Recreation Center, in honor of a beloved slain city employee and youth coach.