'Human activity' linked to Dickey-Givens blaze Officials: Cause undetermined, case closed
A fire that destroyed the original Dickey-Givens Community Center in June likely was sparked by human activity, but it wasn’t ruled arson, according to a now-closed investigation.
The “exact circumstances remain undetermined” and as a result, a probe into the blaze is complete, according to a prepared release issued by city spokesman Daniel Seguin.
Seguin said investigators conducted “a thorough review of the evidence and interviews with a multitude of witnesses and persons of interest (and) concluded that human activity was likely involved in starting the fire, but the exact circumstances remain undetermined.”
He added, “With these findings, the investigation is now formally closed.”
The Old Dickey-Givens Community Center, 903 E. MLK Jr. Blvd., is a historical Taylor landmark and served as a gathering place for the African American community for decades.
It is called the old center because a newer hall exists at 1015 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.
An alarm turned in at 8:25 a.m. June 29 sent the Taylor Fire Department rushing to a conflagration at the history-laden site, with the Hutto Fire Department arriving for support.
Firefighters brought the conflagration under control by 10 a.m. but deemed the structure a loss.
The Old Dickey-Givens Community Center served as an important gathering place for generations of Taylor residents, officials said.
“While the cause of the fire cannot be definitively determined, the city of Taylor remains committed to honoring the history of the site and working with the community to determine the best path forward for its future,” Seguin said in the prepared release.
The center in 2016 was named for Magnolia P. Dickey, wife of pioneering Black physician and philanthropist James L. Dickey, and renowned local educator Lessie Givens.
The building, which had been at its present location since 1960, is just down the block from the modern center. The older building received a historic designation from the state in the fall last year.
In earlier interviews with the Press, community members vowed to rebuild the structure.
According to a social-media post, Seguin said the land is owned by the city and the structure was insured.
Official plans to rebuild remain up in the air, Seguin said in the post.
“At this time, the insurance company is waiting on the results of the investigation,” he noted. “Once we have more information from them, we will begin discussions on how to reinvest those funds in District 1. Those conversations have not been had yet.”
According to reports, this is not the first historical structure associated with the Dickey name destroyed by fire in Taylor.
Three years ago, the historic family home of the Dickeys, located at 500 Burkett St., was reduced to ruins on the eve of opening as the nonprofit Dickey Museum & Multipurpose Center, which officials said they are also committed to rebuilding.
Investigators ruled arson as the cause of that fire.
Though an arrest was made, a Williamson County grand jury declined to issue an indictment due to a lack of evidence.
