The Gilmer Mirror published an article later printed in the Gazette on July 30, 1897. In this publication, Gilmer noted, “One of the greatest men in Southern history was Jefferson Davis, late president of the confederacy…. His memory should be honored in every way, and we are therefore happy to know that our friend Prof. W.S. Burks has chosen this illustrious name for his new college at Pittsburg, Texas.”
As a man with experience as a teacher and “indomitable energy”, Professor Burks was hailed as the man of the hour and perfectly capable of guiding the teachers, staff, and pupils in this first college in Pittsburg, Texas.
Built in 1896 and originally to be known as the Jeff Davis Institute, the Jeff Davis College was built by the city as Pittsburg’s first Public School Building. It was sold to the trustees of the college, accepted by the city at a later date, and eventually given back to the same Jeff Davis group. The college was moved to a new building by 1909, but was finally demolished, it is believed, in the 1930’s.
