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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 History Scavenger Hunt Texas History HISTORY SCAVENGER HUNT Spring 2007 Jeff Carroll Blinn College TEXAS HISTORY HISTORY SCAVENGER HUNT Spring, 2007 History is all around us. Somehow, our "life in the fast lane" living manages to bypass most of it and we rarely realize that what we see on the land today was seen in different ways by different people in the past. Very few people, for instance, know or care that where our Administration Building sits there was once a barn and that most of the parking lot was once the largest drive -in movie theater between Houston and Waco. These things don't make a whole lot of difference unless you and your family have memories tied up in them but they indicate that there IS history all around us. This project is a scavenger hunt for history, not only here in B /CS but also throughout the state. The objective is for you to FIND specific historic sites, BRING BACK EVIDENCE that you have found the site, and WRITE a report on what you found and why it has historic significance. Each of the specific sites has a point count assigned to it. The whole project is designed to represent 300 mix -n -match points but you can, if you wish, make an Extra Credit of an additional 30 points by simply TURNING IN YOUR PROJECT BY THE EARLY DUE DATE and 20 points by adding extra sites. However, no matter how many sites you choose, you can only accumulate 350 points toward your final grade. Here's how it works. Let's say that you FIND the grave of Harvey Mitchell. On the attached point count sheets you will see that Harvey Mitchell's grave is worth 20 points. A simple photo of you and Harvey's gravestone is worth one fourth of the total or five of those points. Your write -up about "Old Harvey" and why he is important in history is worth an additional 15 points for the total of 20. For your information you will have to visit several sites and markers in town and do research in the library or on -line to get the full story on Harvey. * A written report without proof that you visited the site is worth nothing. Evidence that you were there, without a write -up, is only worth one fourth of the total, but you MUST identify the site and its point count. In your report you must convince me that the site, or person or incident represented by the site, is of some significance and do it using proper and accepted English grammar. Look for significance to Texas and to the area where the site is found. For instance, there are hundreds of monuments to those who died in World War II. Just visiting one of these sites will gain some points but your write -up should tell how Texas was important to WW II and why that particular marker appears where it is today. DO NOT COPY THE WRITE -UP FROM A HISTORICAL MARKER OR A WRITE -UP IN A BOOK! Write about your subject in your own words. Your write -up does not have to be long. One paragraph IS NOT enough but, usually, less than one typewritten page will be sufficient. Each mistake in grammar will cost you one (1) point so be careful. If you do a poor job of writing you could end up with a negative grade. Remember that there are people in the Blinn Writing Center who are willing and able to help you with your write -ups. As for the proper citations for your quotes and sources, I recommend Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. It is easy to read, easy to follow, and will save you a lot of wasted effort and grief in your college career. Many of the sites are in and around Bryan and College Station, or close by in the Brazos Valley. You can complete the project by not leaving the immediate area but you will have to collect many more sites to do it. An excuse that you don't have transportation WILL NOT WORK. For those who are more adventurous there are other options. For instance, in most cases, the farther you get from the B /CS area, the higher the point count. How do you find these sites? Ah, that's a good question. You can find out about many of them in your textbook or in the supplemental books. I will mention some of them in the lecture. Over in the library is a set of the new Handbook Of Texas and you can find many of them there. The Handbook Of Texas is also on -line. Do Not ask me how to find these. You need to learn how to use the library and on -line sources. If you are not familiar with computers, visit the Learning Center or computer lab and ask for help. For local sites there are several books on Brazos County history and books about A &M. For others, well, this IS a scavenger hunt. BE CAREFUL!!! Often former students offer their help. That's OK, because I don't care where you get your information. BUT, you need to be sure that the information you get is correct. For instance, in the past, several students have sold "proof" pictures and write -ups that don't apply to this semester's list of clues and don't go together. Likewise, some folks are willing to lead you to sites with which they are familier — but those sites may not be on this semester's list. There is only one way that you can get credit for a site that is not on this semester's list. I'll tell you about it later. Here are some things you need to know and a few clues and suggestions. THIS PROJECT IS WORTH 300 -350 POINTS, OR FROM 30% TO 35% OF YOUR FINAL GRADE. The time you spend on it should reflect this. I expect that you might spend as much as 10 hours for every 100 points, maybe more. The early due date is Thursday, March 22. Any project turned in by that date will automatically receive a 10% Extra Credit Bonus of up to 30 points. The FINAL due date is Thursday, April 12. Unless there are extenuating circumstances and you have made arrangements with me in advance, PROJECTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THAT DATE. Students may receive an extra credit of up to 20 points by simply adding extra sites. ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE TYPED AND DOUBLE SPACED. EACH SUBMISSION OF A SITE MUST HAVE A HEADING SUCH AS: Your name & section } John Doe, A -9 The clue } The first state park The claimed point count } 60 points THEN YOU NEED A TITLE. For instance: MOTHER NEFF STATE PARK If you leave out any of these, it will cost you five (5) points for each ommission. For instance, you could lose ALL of your points if it is a twenty (20) point clue. YOU MUST REPORT, AT THE END OF EACH SUBMISSION, THE SOURCES YOU USED TO GATHER YOUR INFORMATION. Submissions may be stapled, put in PAPER envelopes, put in PAPER pocket folders, or bound. DO NOT submit them in any kind of plastic folders or pockets. DO NOT submit pictures OR OTHER EVIDENCE that are not attached SECURELY to your papers. Use glue or tape or a staple. DO NOT use a paper clip. There is NO requirement for length as long as you submit your evidence and convince me of the significance of the site. If your site turns out to be a museum, or something similar, you need to go inside. Pictures of you standing in the car headlights in front of a closed building DO NOT count. A poor write -up of three or more pages will not earn as many points as a good write -up of one page. QUALITY COUNTS!!!! Many of the clues are just that, CLUES. You have to figure them out. Involve your friends, family, or classmates in your hunt. After all, you may need someone to take your picture. IF SEVERAL CLASSMATES WORK TOGETHER THEY CAN ALL CLAIM THE SAME SITES BUT EACH STUDENT MUST SUBMIT HIS OR HER OWN REPORT AND EVIDENCE. Hint!!! I have a map in my office showing the general location of the sites, but not identifying them specifically. This may help you to plan road trips, etc. HAVE FUN SCAVENGER HUNT CLUES 20 POINTS: (Yellow pins on map.) Resting place of Harvey Mitchell The compass of Hiram Hanover Authorized by the Texas Legislature on April 17, 1871 The first county seat of Brazos County Visit a museum for Brazos Valley African Americans Where Richard Carter built a house in 1831 A painting of "Brazos Spring" Resting place of a college president who led AMC into 20 century He recaptured Quanah's mother The 12th Man Visit the Sanders - Metzgar display A Spanish American War memorial A World War I memorial A World War II memorial Visit the George Bush museum A 1903 gift from a "steel man" Resting -place for first Black Texas law officer killed in the line of duty Commanded Ranger assault on Pointe du Hoc 40 Points (Blue pins on the map.) Visit the Burton cotton gin Home of the last president of The Republic of Texas Do the "scavenger hunt" at the Star of The Republic Nashville (on- the - Brazos) Tenoxtitlan Where the first elected president of Texas joined the church An important document approved here on March 2, 1836 Resting place for the wife of the first elected president of Texas Tour the "Little Creamery in Brenham" Authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1876 A monument to Leander McN. Northernmost terminus of railroad in Brazos Co. in Civil War Where the levee leaked Where Sicilian farmers each donated ten rows of cotton to build a ch "Woodland Home" Resting -place of first elected president of Texas Resting place of Sarah, the woman who first created the "Lone Star" flag Where the Fanthorps fed folks A park for Primus Kelly Resting place of Texas' last Confederate veteran "Old Baylor" Watch them make cheese A church and museum for the Wends Where Chinese farmers settled in Robertson Co. Falls of the Brazos San Francisco Xavier de Los Dolores Where the Washington landed in 1850 -1851 Sarahville de Viesca Monument to El Camino Real 60 Points: (White pins on map) Picnic at the 4 -C mill pond Take the longest free ferry ride in Texas A memorial to "Babe" D.Z. Visit Texas' oldest resident in Clifton The tallest monument in Peggy McCormick's pasture A "Palace" to salt A museum to early Texas logging Cross the oldest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi The biggest floating guns at "D -Day" Built after, and because of, the "blow" of Sept. 8, 1900 Resting place of the "Provisional" president of Texas in 1835 Propellor of the High Flyer Tour campus of the oldest university for women west of the Mississippi It "blew" Texas into the century of oil "Grand Camp" anchor Resting place of Andrew Jackson Potter Resting place for "Shanghai" P. The first state park Site of largest school explosion in Texas Visit the Ocean Star Climb Enchanted Rock Resting place for "Black Bean Bones" "Come and Take It" battle site Last of the "Val Verde Battery" Tour "Elissa" Visit a museum for "CINCPAC" Where Native Americans built mounds First home of "The Farmers' Alliance" in Texas Largest fire hydrant in Texas Visit Texas Heritage Museum Where Angelina Eberly fired a cannon Karlshafen Site of mission San Francisco de Las Tejas Where the Lively first landed, Dec.23, 1821 Largest prisoner -of -war camp for Union soldiers west of the Mississippi Where Dunovant built a mill and the "Whangdoodle" carried cane Visit the French Legation Resting place of "The Father of Texas" Visit the Bob Bullock Museum Where Cynthia Ann was first captured Boyhood home of 36 president of the U.S. Home of Trinity University in 1869 Site of the first wire fence to be issued a patent in the U.S. Site of first use of barbed wire in Texas Largest "Indian" reservation in Texas First official capital of the Republic of Texas (not W -O -B) Original home of Parson's Cavalry, C.S.A First home of Dr. Pepper A volcano east of the Balcones Fault Where they signed the Turtle Bayou Resolutions Fort Fisher and Hall of Fame Dedicated May 18, 1888 "Old Stone Fort" A "palace" for a bishop Only official "clothing optional" public park in Texas A studio for Elizabet Ney Constitution Bend World's Richest Acre Dinosaurs walked here Allens' Landing First Polish ethnic settlement in the United States 80 Points: (Black pins on map) Home of the "Sunday Houses" Horsehead Crossing Visit a museum for W.K. Gordon Birthplace of first "Flying Tiger" El Rancho de Santa Gertrudis Lipantitlan Visit the capital of The Republic of The Rio Grande Presidio La Bahia Visit world's largest bronze monument El Rancho de Palmito Visit site of Dick Dowling's defense Visit a campsite of the Marquis de Rubi' Visit a shrine for "Don Pedrito" Visit National Cowgirl Museum A "palace" for the Spanish governor Because of him we celebrate Cinco de Mayo All Texas cultures under one roof A district for King William In honor of the most decorated soldier in WW II A marker for "The First to Fall" Visit "Age of Steam - - -" museum Visit "Old City Park" Visit the Stinson family and "Pancho" Villa at the Texas Air Museum A fort of "The Buffalo Soldiers" Birthplace of 34 president of the U.S. Watch the drive of "the Fort Worth Herd" Site of Salt Creek, or Warren Wagon Train massacre Where two "Eagles" meet in friendship Home of "The Law West of The Pecos" A monument to Popeye Visit the "Buckhorn" They hung 39 men at one time (and a few later) In honor of "The King of Ragtime" Modern home of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association Home of the first commercial shrimp fleet in Texas Visit second Largest Coastal Live Oak in Texas Padre Balli's sand dunes The "Lady" who was "The Blue Ghost" Where "Whoopers" whoop in winter (not A &M) The biggest "eye" in Texas A marker for the "Billionth Barrell" Where George Fulton built a house 1871 -1875 Fort in Limpia Canyon Capitol of The Republic of The Rio Grande Home of "The Window" (not San Antonio) Where Ben Leaton built a fort The southernmost "lighthouse" park 4,000 acres of sand dunes, but no sea Tour the San Antonio Mission Trail 68,000 square foot swimming pool Where Billy Dixon made a spectacular shot Visit the American Wind Power Center Where a cereal millionaire dynamited the air Visit the only mill in the Texas weaving fabric from Texas virgin wool Home of "Fifinella" "Spanish Fort Crossing" Visit original site of "Santa Rita No. 1" A monument to Helium 90 Points: (Orange pins on map) Visit the home of Ben Leaton Oldest mission in Texas Highest point in Texas Home of the XIT Watch the "Marfa Lights" Pinery Station Home of rocks named for Allen Bates Where America's second transcontinental railroad joined in1881 Only "Indian" reservation in West Texas Visit "Old Tascosa" Expedition markers at San Elizario Plaza Hueco Tanks Where Billy Dixon made a spectacular shot WILD CARD: You may know of a particular site that is of special interest to you. You may claim that one (1) site as a "wild card ", give it a point count appropriate to its location (check the map in my office for point count), and write it up like other sites. You MUST tell me it is your "Wild Card ". This is the ONLY site that is not on the list for which you will receive credit. GOOD HUNTING