HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric Bldg Calendar 110503
1994, in the All Faiths
when six students began talking about the idea of a
society named after the first building on campus. Now in its
third year as a student government organization, Old Main
Society is dedicated to upholding the campus legacy of Texas
A&M University. While we are committed to preserving,
enhancing, and interpreting the history, integrity, architec-
ture, character, and beauty of campus, we are equally dedi-
cated to the forging of its future. Not only must future addi-
tions and alterations be functional, attractive, safe, and acces-
sible, we must strive to make them define and celebrate the
heritage and tradition of excellence, so that the changes com-
municate the purpose and presence of Texas A&M Universitv
as a world class university.
! / TUDEN
Our committee is organized into five crews: Foundation and
Endowment Crew, Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
Crew, New Construction and Campus Improvement Crew,
Awareness Crew, and Research and Development Crew.
These crews are focused on preserving and improving the
quality and appearance of the campus, proving an avenue for
organized student voice in our ever-changing campus, and
educating students about the Texas A&M campus--past, pre-
sent, and future. We are insuring that the campus will be
charged with symbolism and graced with our rich and color-
ful history in the future.
In order to give former students and others the opportunity to par-
ticipate. Old Main Foundation was established. The Old Main
Foundation is an adjunct association of the student-led Old Main
Society. If you are interested in becoming involved and contribut-
ing to upholding the campus legacy through the Old Main
Foundation contact us by calling or writing: Old Main Society, 127
Student Services Bldg., College Station, TX 77843~1236 , (409)
845-3051 or stop by our office located in the student government
area of the John J. Koldus Student Services Bldg. on the Texas
A&M University campus. Gig'em.
in years to
past...our
fervent prayer [wil[] be answered and our
fond hopes realized."
1910 Longhorn
THE
DEPO
1883
1
In 1910, President William
Howard Taft spoke from the
back of his train at the depot
during a Southern swing in
spring. Another president
who visited A&M by train
was Franklin D. Roosevelt.
David Godbey, March 1994
Since the first batch of strapping cadets stepped off their passenger car and
headed for the Texas A&M campus in 1872, the local train station has held a
special role in Aggie tradition.
The Eagle
April 23, 1995
Houston and Texas Central Railroad conductor announcements refer to stop
at A&M as "College Station" since there is no depot at the time of the
school's opening until 1883.
Dedication Ceremony
April 21,1994
E
R
HA
LL
The handmade brick building since its construction
in 1899 at a cost of $28,000, was named in honor of
early presidents, L. L. Foster. Though
~ part of this career as a farmer and
later gained recogni-
and politician.
from his native Georgia
established the
Groesbeck. After saving
and mason, he had
is remembered for the
to the physical needs of
growing institution.
terminated by
December, 1901. He-was
old College Cemetery,
then was a sheep pas-
south side of the campus,
an Hall now stands.
Source Unknown
L
Powell, The new
the A&M College
a movement to
~ipe organ ;/:or the
The Eag!2
February 15, 1906
:te debate between
held in
debate was
on WTAW...
March 17, 1927
shown depicting
and assembly
car Model "A"
over the topic of
ing Morals'.
The Eagle
February 1, 1928
frOm, every point
point,
~f its own effulgence,
Source Unknown
A
report
lege for
for
$4
lng was
by
Sullivan
family.
president's
at
was con-
is "elegant
as being
what "the
Texan built
in the
[es." Two
eight with a
ed roof; 12-
and large
two-story
extend-
front and
parts
a super-
of ginger-
and
of this
what one
~ect to find
ant man-
1890s.
oldeSt bUildingl Ereetedin 1893, it and the old agriculture and hortiCulture building were the only two structures left which
linked the campus of the 1960s with that of the last century.
The decOrative features of the PorChes inClUded tUrned cOlUmns, brackets, pendants, and an especially ornate balustrade on
the first floor. Gable ornament, a highly decorated tower, and a bay window off the stair landing--all of these added interest
to the elevations and marked the Victorian of the old nolngt
ROSS
HA
LL
RoSs
A&M largely beCause of Ross's outstanding military and legislative record.
With the completion of Ross Hall at a cost of $20,000, the housing problem
was somewhat curbed and the number of temporary tents was reduced. A
large portion of the student body was made up of the Ross Volunteers, who
were the fbr~ate cadets to be housed inthe new dormitory.
of bUildings grew on campus; ROsS Hall continued to be used aS a dormitory,
although not exclusively for members of the Ross Volunteers.
In 1927, the cadets who lived in the
red brick building became troubled
with bats and polecats trying to move
in on them. After a period of swatting
and swinging, the bats were driven
out, only to end the first phase of the
problem.
TEXTILE
BUILDI
NG
ofth~
try, and Ihe
the MississiPPi river.
The bUilding is of re
deSign, tOugh it is
than cotton millS 1
more ornately
are. It contains offiCes and
and rooms for carding, drawing,
and spinning the raw cotton into
and for weaving the thread
The machinery for illustrating
processes is of the latest approved
and is all driven by electric power.
1
894-19()8
The first natatorium was built in 1894, where the present Engineering Building now stands. It wasn't much by today's stan-
dards, bUt it was the first most students of that day had ever seen and everyone was mighty proud of it. The Battalion, Unknown
The natatorium was deepened by raising the walls two to three feet. The Eagle, May 15, 1902
The first "Nat" was replaced in 1908 by a new and better one in the same location. It served until 1914. The Battalion, Unknown
The [second] natatorium will have tub baths, no pool, and only 32 shower baths. It will be expected to provide bathing facili-
ties for 600 or 700 boys. There are no baths in the dormitory, not even in the costly new building that the workrnen are now
finishing [Goodwin Hall 1908]. Th__e_e Eagle, July 16, 1908
1
1
9
1
6
A
The hospital is a two-story wooden
structure, situated just back of the
Textile Engineering Building. It is a lit-
tle isolated from the main part of
Campus, but it is in an excellent loca-
tion to serve its purpose.
On the first floor the physician's office,
two wards, and other necessary apart-
ments are located. On the second floor
a third ward and a home for the hospi-
tal nurses are provided. The hospital
is fully equipped to take care of any
ordinary sickness or accidents that
may happen and it is possible to treat
more complicated or serious disease in
the proper manner, ut it is seldom, or
probably never, necessary to treat any
of these diseases in the hospital, there-
fore the principal object of the man-
agement has been to find the best and
quickest methods of relieving the
rnore common mishaps of the cadets.
Longhorn 1915
by cadets. You
ch of
to eat.
The last work of Governor Sul
Ross in
A&M College was the com-
mencement of the new mess
hall. A bust of Governor Ross
will be placed in the building.
The Houston Serni-weeklE P~)st
February 10, 1898
H
A
~f a mess
and will be
:he mess hall burned down
L
L
1
r:memberS of the Class of '44 board-
ed the train there to begin their service in World War II.
Eighty members of the class did not return. The depot
was truly their last glimpse of Texas A&M."
Dr. E. Dean Gage
The Battalion, April 22,1994
The Eagle underStands that the H. & T.C~ Plans to put in a big Y below College so that engines
on trains c°ming in to bring hundreds of people to football games, other athletic contests or to
commencement at A&M may be turned arOund for the return trip.
The Eagle further tmderstands that the °fficials conferred with officers of the capital college with
referenCe to enlarging the switch at Milepost 96, where the tap road cuts of froTM the paved high-
way, acrOss the tracks be~een here and COllege, in Order that several cars can be unloaded at one
time. They alsO Plan to fit Up the stOckYards there to gravel the road and put in better condition
and passable in any kind of weather, The enlarging of the switch would enable the company to
unlock livestoCk or supPlies with greater speed and efficiency.
The Eagle
July 16, 1925
Texas Aggies gathered around the remains of the
buildin in Mai 1912 after a
build-
to the
~le the
mnon fire
and man-
10,1963
Old ~Main was 4, 1876 when the A&M College of Texas formally opened for classes. It was con-
structed at a coSt of $100,000. Three Stories and the front towers were of brick and the fourth floor was of frame construction with
mansard roof effect~ The bUilding had been used in:the dormitorY and for classrooms.,, of late years, it has been an adminis-
tratiOn bUild,gl ;: it directlY faced the main driveway from the big gates of the college,
and forming a background for the flag pole, it was the first structure seen when persons arrived at the college.
The May 30, 1912