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In the early 20th century, the growing city of Gainesville needed a new high school but lacked funds. In 1920, W.H. and Ella Dougherty donated their mansion, which once belonged to U.S. Senator Joseph W. Bailey, and surrounding land to the city for this purpose. The couple stipulated the school be named for their son, Isaac Newsome Dougherty, who died at age 26 in the worldwide influenza epidemic that began in 1918. Facilities opened in 1922 and served students until 1959. In 1924, the campus began housing Gainesville Junior College, later North Central Texas College. The Doughertys' donation thus proved vital to the city's transition to a modern education system. (2006) |
