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Northgate Steering Committee: Background Material (09-15-1994)
~~_. ~,~ NORTI-IGATE STEERING COMMITTEE Background Material - ~ ~~ submitted by Greg Keith September 15, 1994 .7-r- r ~~~ ,.. K ~ ~, ~.. .. ,; .~„ -°- ~~ ~k ~ ~< ,~ ~~~ ~ s 9 y ^~?~f€ ~~ a ~~ y' .~ _ ~ ,, ,~~ ~- ~ _ -~- rt .~=~. ~-~.. ` ;`"w~- . ~- I 1 _ ~~ ~ - ., --~ ----..,.~.,r N,u~w~c~r+s - ~.; - - "- _ - LUNCH isld STAT qM~ ~ ~t s__ r t ~~u~wL ~ . .., ~ ti ,~-`` BACKGROUND MATERIAL FOR THE NORTHGATE STEERING COMMITTEE ~:, submitted by Greg Keith 9/15/94 Today I walked leisurely from the "mud lot" to Freebirds. Northgate, even in its current state, has a certain charm. Perhaps it is the mix of a unique business, religious, and residential presence in the shadow of the nation's third largest university. One only has to be creative with visual images from cities like New Orleans and Galveston to understand what can be accomplished here on a smaller scale. I feel strongly about an idea of a preliminary Stage lmini-renovation in Northgate to give people something concrete to grasp. This could take place during the planning phase, because it would mesh with the final result. The inefficient parallel parking along Northgate from Loupot's to Fritz Willie's limits pedestrian traffic to one narrow sidewalk. Most of us have seen bar patrons at night crowding dangerously into the west-bound traffic lane. Even if a mall area is created on Patricia Street, this scene will continue. The open feeling of the street and the proximity to campus will always favor this side. Northgate frontage along University Avenue, perhaps as short as the distance covering the Dixie Chicken and Dudley's, could be revitalized. First, University Avenue parallel parking in the designate "trial area" would be eliminated. This would allow the sidewalk to be extended out to the edge of the traffic lane. This small "trial area" could be completed as a wooden boardwalk or a red brick sidewalk in two levels. Next to the bars the level remains the same and then steps up to the raised sidewalk area closest to the west bound traffic on University. It would be elevated about three feet to give a "distancing" effect and a feeling of separation and safety from the traffic. A wooden or rod iron railing finishes the area above the traffic lane, and it would separate pedestrians from any remaining parallel parking to the east and west. The boardwalk "trial area" would flow into the existing paving fronting Bottlecap Alley, the Dry Bean Saloon, and Fritz Willies. Benches, banners, planters, and period lighting would finish out the trial project. When renovation finally occurs at Northgate, the boardwalk area could be resurfaced if the new material is different or doesn't match. Then revitalization can proceed as planned for the Northgate District. I have been researching some historical transportation ideas that could potentially strengthen plans for a revitalized.Northgate. The College Bicycle Club track passed through what is now Northgate in 1897. The Bryan-College Interurban Trolley weaved through Boyette's property from 1910-1923. Restoration of both these transportation systems qualify for ISTEA funding in more than one way. Most of my ideas and research come from studies in the TAMU College of Architecture's Land Development program, and as a member of the College Station Historical Preservation Committee. I hope you all will consider them in your input towards Northgate revitalization. ~~ l 3+" Interurban update for September 7,1994 meeting of the College Station Historic Preservation Committee- submitted by Greg Keith, 2) An aggressive search for one or more of the five original trolley shells (There were two or three at first #200,#201,#202, some longer versions #203,#204, and two electrical cars, #300 and #301. The trailers were probably #100 and #101. A trolley of the same year and make would suffice. The search would include placing articles or ads in the Texas Aggie, Texas Highways, and other publications. Trips would have to be made to verify the existence and authenticity of tips received. 3) Aquire a trolley shell. This should be free or very inexpensive. For example, it may require trading a farmer an aluminum shed for the trolley shell. 4) Display the trolley in the state it was found in a prominent place to create awareness. Include some historical interpretation and information on future plans. .~- _+'~~~~. §§§§§§, 1 - 5 Over the summer I have thought a lot about the possibility of reviving the Interurban Trolley. This is a long- term project that requires ten steps. 1) Additional research for accurate pictures, descriptions, and technical information on the trolleys. CgRTDDw~ fRoM G.ONC~ (~"ORN 5) Seek funding, and or financing to restore the trolley as authentically as possible. Try to involve Texas A&M, George Bush Presidential Library, College Station, Bryan, railroad and traction enthusiasts, and the state of Texas (ISTEA $). The Interurban should be marketed as an element to enhance tourism in the area. 6) As the trolley nears completion, rent a building for a station at northgate or one of the other sides of campus. The station should be along the proposed trolley route. An ideal location for the station would be at the Bulls Eye restaurant at Northgate (This establishment can't last too much longer). The station should be nostalgic in appearance. Tickets, souvenirs, memorabilia, tour maps, brochures, and snacks could be obtained here. The station could also function as a museum. I have often thought it would be interesting to have a model of the campus depicting the time before Old Main burned. A campus model set in June 1910 (The date trolley service began) would include Old Main and the Mess Hall which burned within the next year. 7) A trolley route should, be proposed. The initial trolley route should be thought of as the most efficient and necessary to handle increased tourism as a result of the George Bush library and the Special Events Center. For example, the best route might be as follows: start at the Texas Avenue hotel district north of University Avenue, turn west on University Avenue and stop at the Interurban Station-Northgate. Continue under the Wellborn overpass on Raymond Stotzer Parkway. Turn south at the McKenzie terminal entrance and stop at the terminal to service airport customers. Continue in the appropriate corridor to service the George Bush Library, Special Events Center, and Kyle Field. From Kyle Field turn south down Wellborn to service Amtrak. At this point the Interurban could turn around and ride the same track or head east down George Bush and north down Texas to complete the route. s 8) Funding, and or financing for laying track and electrification of the proposed route. 9) Track completed and electrification in place. Fares and operation procedures must be set before service begins. 10) Service begins for the restored 1910 Bryan-College Station Interurban. I spoke to John Landrum, a former student working at the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority in Dallas. He seems enthusiastic about restoring the Interurban Trolley. He would like for our committee to tour his streetcar facilities in Dallas. Some points he stressed were that the line should be electrified (The Bryan- College Interurban was gasoline-powered from 1910-1915. From 1915-1923 the line was electrified). He said he powers the entire operation, barn and streetcars, for under $1000 per month. His research has found that trolley routes are viewed as infrastructure by citizens and businesses. The line adds an element of stability to the community as the routes and schedules are established. omaco ~rolle c~om an ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ttanufacturers of }authentic ~rolle>~ Gars 1994 Step Back In Time Gomaco Trolley Company's latest trolley, #1979, is shown during testing on the rails in Dallas, Texas (above) and on display at the International Public Transit Expo '93 in New Orleans, Louisiana (right). The single-truck trolley is an original Gomaco Trolley Company design. <`~=~'~ :«:.. a ~ € ~ ! '. ~, _.. r, ,y .: ~ ~. ~a . ~ . ~.. ~" fin' ?'~5~ d ~`~ '+~", , .+~xw~17,A ,a . v: ... .v :,. .. y .~ ~ ~ ~. 7 d y ~ %. Y ~ ~ ~~ .~' 3 w5 ~W ,a `MR r1 w ~~ ~~ `Jf by ~ -- ~C ~'~'~t 4,. ~^ s } . ` d a 4 s ~ ~ ~C ~ ~ ~ ~ r ~~ e aal .~.. " _. ,_ ~. ~ ~. ~,.. ., " =. , THE INTERURBAN- YESTERDAY & TOMORROW A Century-Old Solution for Bryan-College Station Today Jeff Tingle Greg Keith Plan 365 RPTS 436 April 30, 1993 f 1 i i i i I THE BRYRN COLLEGE INTERURBAN "TO COLLEGE THE EASY WAY" Cars Every Hour Between College and Bryan SPECIAL SCHEDULES i Arranged For All Events Taking Place At College TAKE THE INTERURBAN TO SAVE TIME Particulars About Arranging for Special Cars May Be Ascertained From 0. E. GAMIVIILL, Manager Bryan, Texas S INTRODUCTION Five days a week 40,000 students plus faculty, administrators, staff, and others converge on the campus of Texas A&M University. The campus is accessed by car, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. The Amtrak depot is within walking distance from the campus, while the Easterwood Airport connection must be made by private auto or taxi service. Texas A&M and its perimeter thrives with various activity. Two of the effects of this vitality is traffic congestion and parking problems. Although Bryan- College Station (B-CS) has a combined population of 120,000 people, it has neither the population nor the density for sufficient ridership to justify a contemporary rapid transit system. This presents a problem for which the bus does not seem to be a solution. In 1923 the bus began to overtake the Bryan-College Interurban streetcar. This research project makes a proposal for the Interurban to perhaps replace, or at least, complement the current bus systems. 7-Q 1~ICTn~Y OVER TEXAS. s PROBLEM STATEMENT Can the Bryan-College Interurban be re-introduced as a century-old solution for today's transportation challenges? HYPOTHESIS Students, faculty, and citizens of B-CS would rather ride the Interurban than the current bus systems available today. In fact, the Interurban wilt gain patronage from some daily automobile drivers. METHODOLOGY In late February research on the Interurban began. In March, a survey was designed to determine student and faculty attitudes toward reviving the Interurban. Surveys were collected from 122 people. Survey results will be included when appropriate throughout the report. The Interurban proposal was compared and contrasted to those of Galveston and New Orleans, both with streetcar systems currently operating. George Mitchell, a developer, initiated a proposal to re-introduce a historically correct trolley system from 1938 in Galveston. The capital was secured and trolley construction began in 1986 without any public referendum. Ridership is about 130,000 per year. The New Orleans streetcar has been in continuous operation. Two routes are currently. in operation, one from the French Quarter via St. Charles Avenue, and another along the rivertront. Ridership in New Orleans is substantially greater than that in Galveston. f HISTORY From 1910 until 1929, the Bryan-College Interurban ran from downtown Bryan primarily on College Avenue to the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (AMC). Service was terminated in 1929 with the plans for construction of Highway 6 (Texas Avenue). In 1930 the tracks and wires were sold for scrap. The only tangible evidence that remains today is the existence of aturn-around station at 112 Hollydale in Bryan. The station was converted into a home in 1957. It was built over the tracks and now flooring and plaster hide the only evidence of the Interurban.5 At the advent of the Interurban, the population of Bryan was 4,132. AMC was situated about five miles south of City Hall because the founding fathers of Bryan wanted to locate the college a significant distance away from the local saloons and whorehouses.l In 1909 the population of AMC was 757 students and faculty living on the campus grounds. The promotional theme of the Interurban was on the need for greater commerce between the city of Bryan and the college. The slogan used was "To College the Easy Way."5 The cartoon and ad below shows what many students believe to be the sole purpose of the Interurban. - o BRflNDON ~'~ & ~' ~~ ~ ' LflWft~NGE. t ' \ OUR CbtAs and Fern. is 'rAing aA most m ever, deSe1L Ws atll hk l - s p eesun m ehov~` you the latest me- tioee of the uishntd ~ ~ ~ ~ KuPP~nMIrMr I, ~ ~'" boNq. Knnd ClathM. __ - ~ ~~/ ~ ` .. ~ ~ ~ ~ Hen You v>i~ (tod the eaJn- ~~~ dvs aleocY for the i _ _ %, _ - /~ , 7 /~ / _ r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ / / eowwwo ..e ro[r[w I aeop. _- _ _ f ~f /~~ ~ ~ ewre, e ~ ~ ~ _._ ~ _. , ~~' ' ~RHn OOrr R r i, [Y[wT `/ ;~ ~ i i I ~ i ~~ !( I I I ' AO RMfJ£ - ~ ~ ~ a aerwra. , - -~ t... TTOR~_ ~ ~ ~~ i I,, BRANDaN o '~ J+ M NN~_. ht J " ~-. LAWRENCE EGONOM/GAL V/EW OF puR //yTERG/RBi9hl •~~~~w~~~~r'~~~:~ G eo<be ngro rsfei 9r7wn. Te[u. The Interurban was routed to involve the smallest possible number of landowners. Routes were secured on both ends of the line to give the intervening landowners a greater sense of assurance of where it would be and that it would surely happen. W.C. Boyett and Fred Cavitt were the major landowners between Bryan and the college.5 The final route to AMC was down College Avenue then to Cavitt where the Interurban crossed the campus and terminated at Gathright Hall. The trip from Bryan took 30 minutes. At first, the single fare was ten cents and around-trip cost fifteen. When the gasoline-powered cars were pulling the open-sided park car on game days, the cadets would have to give the trolley a push on the rise at Hillcrest.3 Adveriisemen! for Dellwood Park, 1910 Dellwood Park was one of the Cavitt Street stops on the route of the Bryan•College Station In- terurban. It was a popular spot for picnics and oc- nal carnivals. One Bryanite recalls a special .ction being his first look at an airplane for the• price of a fifty cent piece. The plane came dis• mantled. «•as assembled at the park, took off, then crashed, some~t~hat dampening the crow'd's enthus- iasm. "To College the Easy Way" the advertisement read. Two big gasoline-powered cars were the product of O. E. Gammill of Louisiana w>ho came to Bryan in 1908 to promote and build a "rapid transportation" system between Br}•an and Texas A and M College. By Commencement, 1910, the cars were in operation. The tracks ran down College Avenue, then down Cavitt Street to A and M. Later the line was expanded to serve Villa :Maria Academy, Bryan Baptist Academy and Allen Academy. The Hillcrest incline south of Bryan was hard on the engine and during the Saturday afternoon crowded runs cadets and young bachelors would have to give the car a shove. Gas was converted to electric power in 1915, providing greater carrying capacity. Bryan -College Iaterurbart, 1910 In 1915 the line was electrified and two new cars were bought. The new cars had more power and a greater carrying capacity. During a few short years, the electric Interurban had its terminus in three different locations on campus: the Y.M.C.A. building, on the current site of Puryear and Law Halls, and in front of the Campus Confectionery (the Arch Leigh Place) which was located next to the Shirley Hotel.3 Several factors led to the early demise of the Interurban: the development of good roads, automobiles, and the jitney or taxi. The City of Bryan considered the growth in the number of automobiles a daily concern. In 1912 it was reported that 84 autos had been licensed up to that time. By 1919 the number had increased by 845 autos. There were approximately 5,000 inhabitants at that time. By 1918 complaints were voiced concerning a hazard created by "autos speeding on College Road."5 A subdivision filed in 1914, the Watson Addition plat, shows where someone erased the lots to accommodate the location of the planned Highway 6 bypass that was not actually built until 1931. It is interesting to speculate that the highway location may have been known as early as 1914.5 Problems with the jitney were evident in 1915 when Bryan passed an ordinance that "all vehicles used as transfers in Bryan, and parties running several vehicles should pay a license fee of $50 per year, or be fined not less than $110."5 In July of 1918, the Interurban advertised that it would begin to deliver freight. This was evidently an effort to increase revenue. In December 1919, it was announced that the Interurban service between Bryan and the college would be cut down from 18 to 11 departures per day. This announcement sparked a series of articles in the "A&M Daily Bulletin" where AMC President Bizzell complains of the Interurban service in reference to the limiting of departures. The "A&M Daily Bulletin" later claims the Interurban had never given adequate service.5 The following cartoon depicts some of the students views regarding service. fi In August of 1922 it was announced that the Bryan and College Interurban had gone into receivership. Soon after this the Bryan and College Traction Company ran the Interurban with the intent Of phasing it out for modern buses. H.P. Dansby, a citizen of Bryan, indicated during interviews that he took the electric trolley to AMC as late as 1929.5 REVIVAL OF THE INTERURBAN If the citizens of Bryan and the faculty of AMC could have foreseen some of the problems associated with the automobile, perhaps they would have continued operation of the Interurban. Since evidence of the Interurban has all but since disappeared, new trolleys must be built. Galveston commissioned four new trolleys to be built at a cost of $500,000 each. In February of 1993, four European correspondents contributed to an article in the trends section of Newsweek titled °A Desire for Streetcars." The report is enthusiastic for the return of the streetcar. It states that last summer Manchester, Britain's eighth largest city, inaugurated a new streetcar system. The city's 448,000 residents have been raving ever since. One resident reported his hour commute by bus was reduced to sixteen minutes by streetcar. This information encouraged environmentalists and urban planners across Europe.6 r The article continues to state that this enthusiasm does not mean that tramways are always easy to plan and finance. Government is cautious to promote public transportation for fear of upsetting motorists and the automotive industry. As a result of this, the red tape on streetcar projects can be thick enough to deter all but the most determined city planners.6 Much of the success of the interurban relies on winning bus patrons. However, it is somewhat discouraging to discover that 63% of respondents never take the bus. Do you take the bus to campus now? A. Daily B. Often C. Sometimes D. Seldom E. Never (15%) (6%) (5%) (10%) (63%) The re-introduction of the Interurban depends in part on the overall perception as compared to the bus. The response was optimistic towards the proposal. How do you think the Interurban as presented above would compare to riding the bus? A. Very Appealing B. Favorable C. Same D. Unfavorable E. Very Unfavorable (16%) (35%) (34%) (10%) (5%) An earty pacesetter: Grenoble's fine-year-old line B Another variable in the success of the Interurban is gaining loyalty from automobile commuters as well as crossover patronage from bus riders. The survey results indicate that almost half of automobile commuters are determined to drive to campus. It is the other half that must be targeted for ridership of the Interurban. I drive my car to A&M despite traffic congestion, inadequate parking, polluting exhaust, Campus Cops, pedestrian privileges, public transportation, and inclement weather: A. Always B. Usually C. Sometimes D. Seldom E. Never (49%) (13%) (15%) (13%) (10%) REPLICA DESIGN The Interurban proposed for today would be an updated replica of the 1910 streetcar. It would run on aclean-burning fuel supplemented with solar energy from inconspicuous roof panels, and a generator drawing energy normally wasted during braking. The streetcar would be comfortable, with modern conveniences such as air- conditioning designed in such a way as to minimize any distraction from the style and integrity of the replica. The majority of Interurban survey respondents preferred the updated replica. Which type of streetcar do you prefer? (57%) A. New, updated replica of 1910-1929 B-CS Interurban as described above ( 8%) B. Contemporary European-style streetcar (13%) C. Open-air style trolley (11%) D. Futuristic streetcar (11%) E. Restored authentic period streetcar ROUTES AND CONNECTIONS Routes would be established in phases. The initial route would be one which would maximize the potential for ridership. A route down Texas Avenue to campus from either direction would probably be the best choice. Subsequent routes would be I l POINTS OF INTEREST ' ' t. Coulter Airtield 24. Blinn College 2. Castle Heights Park 25. Oaka. Park ` ~~ 3. Bonham Park 2.6. Thomas Park i ~•;~ 4. Seurry Palk - 27. College Station Clty Bldg. 21 ~ 5. Thomas Park 28. Texas ABM University / i 6. Brazos County Courthouse 28A. 8euthel Health Center '~ j 7. Bryan Muniapai Bldg. 288. Gort Course T / 1 't 'O ~ ~ d. Bryan PWice Dept. 28C. Kyle Field 9. Bryan/ College Station 28D: Olsen Field ~ ~ Chamber of Commerce 28E. Firemana Training F efd ~J. Brazos Count Park Y 29. Central Park ". Camelot Park 30. College Station f?olice Debt. _ 12. Henderson Park 31. Anderson Park - - - 6 ~3. Indusiriai Park 32. prison Park 3 2 t4. SL Joseph Hospital ~ 33. Lemontree.Park 15. Golf Course 34. Care Plus Medical Center f 6. High School 35. Cy Miller Perk . : 7. Tanglewood Park .. 36. 'Bee Creek Park ~ l8. Ba)I Park 37. Lincoln Center l9. Williamson Park 38. High School 2t7. riense! Park 39. G. K. Fitch Park q 21. Corivenhon and 10. Brothers Pond Park Visitors Bureau 41. Southwood Athletic Park /~ 5 22. Lions Park 42. Humana Hospital 1 23. R. Carter Park 43. Sandstone Park ~ _ ~ 44. Westchester Perk 45. Easterwood Airfield W 6 158 21 g ' 1 179 't0 ~~ . ~ . 158. t2~ . • to is ~ ~ - ~3 t 6 , ~~' , Rn F Lake .. , 18 ' T7 ~ 13 19 C 15 80 21 V 23 1988 20 22 `b 94 College °~ ~~ ~ tation ,~~ ~t5 ~~ M ' JiV:iF ' ~t` --.L as} ..,, } _ . °~' t ao ` \ A:w ~'~ 29'c . `~ ~\ .Y ~~.~/ BRY -COLLEGE STATION z,5. VICINITY MAP ~~~ \~ fi built on the success and profits of the original. Eventually, connections from campus would be made with Eastervvood Airport, Post Oak Mall, the Amtrak train depot, Greyhound bus station, Main Street in downtown Bryen, Northgate, Wolf Pen Creek, and the proposed high-speed rail station- if it has a stop close enough to B-CS. These connections would maximize ridership to campus. Potential stops on campus might include: George Bush Presidential Library, Rudder Tower, Kyle Field, G. Rollie White, MSC, Sanders Corps Center, Langford Strategically located satellite parking lots would allow students and faculty to park for free and ride the Interurban to class without the worry and hassle of parking fees, tickets, or predator towing services. Architecture Building, Medical and Veterinary Complex, and the Commons. A Streetcars were greatly responsible for creating the suburbs. In perusing research material, streetcars were pictured traveling down residential streets between the sidewalk and the curb. Grass grew between the tracks. The tracks were unobtrusive, and the scene was rather intriguing. The Interurban could access most areas of campus without affecting its serene atmosphere. If necessary, the Interurban tracks could cross fields, sidewalks, streets, and plazas. It might add an element of class to a university with too many concrete streets and surface parking lots. In fact, the Interurban could perhaps reduce their necessity. fi PROGRAMMING & SCHEDULES Programming is vital for the success of the Interurban. One survey respondent suggested that service to nightclubs be considered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when most students go out on the town. This would create demand in off-peak hours as well as provide a service that could reduce accidents and legal entanglements related to drinking and driving. More frequent schedules would be implemented for occasions such as football weekends and Parents' Weekend. Additional cars with replica open-sided park cars connected would accommodate crowds. These cars would also be available for charter to groups on special occasions. Scheduling would be strongly mandated by A&M class schedules. This means schedules for Tuesday and Thursday would vary from those on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The survey results indicate that 80% of respondents would take the Interurban at least once a week. If convenient I would use the Interurban streetcar: A.Five days a week B.Three days a week C.Once a week D.Twice a month E.Never (22%) (34%) (25%) (8%) (12%) It is interesting to note that over half of the 63% who never take the bus said they would take the Interurban either three or five days a week. fi FARES Interurban patrons would have the option of paying on a per-ride basis, using Aggie Bucks, or saving money by purchasing a semester pass. On the survey the following question was asked with corresponding percentages listed below. An overwhelming majority, 82%, were willing to pay one or two quarters for the service. What would you be willing to pay for a ride to campus from near your residence? A. $1.00 B. 75 cents C. 50 cents D. 25 cents E. 10 cents F. 5 cents ( 2%) (2%) (41 %) (41 %) (12%) (2%) FUNDING The Galveston Island Trolley is currently adeficit-run operation. The trolley is supported by an annual grant from the Federal Transit Authority which covers 50% of the annual operating cost. George Mitchell, Robert Moody, and the Parks Board each pay one-sixth of the remaining cost. The share from the Parks Board is the amount collected from passenger fares. In contrast, the New Orleans Transit Authority has taxing power, and receives only a small percentage of subsidy from the Federal Transit Authority. The streetcar receives funding from tax revenues, as well as the other transportation systems. PROS FOR REVIVING THE INTERURBAN Several pros for re-introduction of the Interurban have already been mentioned. ~~ These include alleviating parking and traffic congestion, unobtrusive nature of tracks, and rising popularity in Europe. Nostalgia is yet another reason for bringing back the Interurban. Perhaps one of the most enduring images of the trolley is one associated with Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire." Today it is not difficult to recapture this era when riding the New Orleans streetcar down St. Charles Avenue past the Garden District. Two seaport cities, New Orleans and San Francisco, both maintain their trolleys as functional transportation and tourist attractions. CONS FOR REVIVING THE INTERURBAN Tracks mandate a fixed path for the streetcar. This will always be an argument against re-introduction of the streetcar. The initial capital investment is another obstacle. The revival of the Galveston Island Trolley would not have been possible without the financial support of George Mitchell and Robert Moody. RECOMMENDATION The introductory hypothesis states that students, faculty, and citizens of B-CS would rather ride the Interurban than the current bus systems available today. The survey data analysis presented indicates this to be true. Can the Bryan- College Interurban be re-introduced as a century-old solution for today's transportation challenges? Yes, the writers of this report think the proposal is feasible providing the original concept is not compromised. However, the answer would vary from one urban planner to the next. The feasibility will be determined in each case by the creativity, vision, and perseverance displayed by the proponents of " ~,, the given project. F BIBLIOGRAPHY (Sources Cited) 1) Brundidge, Glenna F. Brazos County History: Rich Past- Bright Future. Bryan: Family History Foundation, 1986. 2) Cofer, David B. Fragments of Early Histo of Texas A. and M. College. College Archivist, TAMU: 1936. 3) Dethloff, Henry C. A Pictorial History of Texas ABM University. 1876-1976. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1977. 4) Dorsey, Mary E. Those Were the Days. Bryan: BISD, 1976. 5) Marshall, Mary Ann Rivard Bryan & College Interurban Railway: Historical Persoective on its Development. Ownership a, nd Disoosi~tion, Masters Thesis TAMU:1987 6) Privat, Pascal Newsweek "A Desire for Streetcars." February 1, 1993. (Sources Perused) Balliew, Deborah L. College Station. Texas 1938-88. College Station: Intanglio Press, 1987. Carson, O.E. The Trolley Titans. Glendale: Interurban Press, 1981. Carson, Robert B. What Ever Ha~oened to the Trolley? Oneonta: New York State University College, 1978. Hennick, Louis The Streetcars of New Orleans. Gretna, La.: Pelican Publishing, 1975. Jones, William Mile-High Trolleys. Denver: 1975. Levy, John M. Contemp~_ry Urban Planning, New Jersey: 1991. McCaleb, Charles S. Tracks. Tires. & Wires. Glendale: Interurban Press, 1981. Perez, August The Last Line. Nashville: Benson Printing, 1973. Rowesome, Frank Trolley Car Treasury. New York: McGraw -Hill, 1956. Warner, Sam B. Streetcar Suburbs. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1978. Young, Andrew D. Trolley to the past. Glendale: Interurban Press, 1983. What would you be willing to pay for a ride to campus from near your residence?-~°•,~ ' A. $1.00 B. 75 cents C. 50 terns D. 25 cents E. 10 cents F. 5 cents •_ , r- s...r .:. r th ~e , .. ;~ .4'~ ~ , ~.~R s w ~ x . ~ mow:`,-~: e, ,.v * +.,c:: Y«. ~ . , .. :-. ff convenient ~ woi use the Interurban atre8lCaf` .. ~ ~••~ ,~~ ~ ~~~1.Fa-e days a weoit8.~hree days~t>r°~rrci a ~ ~' ~ ~` ' ~' ~`~ /. ~, ., z ~._ ~dae~rvw. k:., ~.~;a c,:~rt~ra ,.. =.M!F_. ~ s.. ?~ av'"~`~ea.,. , ~ s~v.- .4r€.i: '~~ .. How do you think the Interurban aS presented above would compare to riding the bua? A Very Appealing B. Favorable C. Same D. Unfavorable E. Sucks About how many times have you taken a streetcar, trolley, or cablecar't - - , A. Eileen or over 8. Ten -_ C. Five ~D. Once E Never (If E, skip next question) ...: -.;~ ,~ ;~. - ~ ~, I have most recenty taken this mode of tn3nsportation infthe folbwing city: A.New Orleans B.Galveston C.San Francisco D.Boston E.Other aty (Please name) Which type of streetcar do you prefer?~~` t - ~ { `~ ~"~ ~' } ` ~ ' `. A. New, updated replica of 1910-1929 B-CS Interurban as described above B. Contemporary European-style streetcar D. Futuristic streetcar C. Open-air style trolley E. Restored authentic period streetcar What cobr(s) should The Interurban streetcar be? ~ - A. Maroon B. Olive Green C. Red.;;- D. Blade E Assorted (A-D) F. Others (name) ` .,. +~,~ Do you think the Interurban streetcar would have arty impact on tourism? A. Very Benefiaal B. Benefiaal C. No Effect D. Negative E. Extremely Negative I drive my car to A&M despite traffic congestion, inadequate parking, polluting exhaust, Kampus Kops, pedestrian priviledges, pubib transportation, and inclement weather: A. Always B. Usualy C. Sometimes D. Seldom E. Never How far do you live from Campus? (B-F, write which complex or neighborhood) A. On Campus B. Walking Distance C. 1-2 miles D. 2-3 miles E. 3-4 F. Over 4 How would you rate the parking on campus and around the perimeter? A. Excellent B. Good C. Average D. Poor E. Very Bad F. $&#?ing Bad! Do you take the bus to campus now? A. Daily B. Often C. Sometimes D. Seldom E. Never Thanks! If you have any additional comments, please write them on the back side i _ -. -, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993 - ?:00 PM CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD V. PROPOSAL ON INTERURBAN TROLLEY: Gary H. said the Brazos County Historical Commission has approved application for a marker on the Interurban Trolley, which was a fixed rall system that ran down South College connecting College Station and Bryan. This application has been forwarded to the State Historical Commission. The county would like the City of College Station to pick up half the cost of the marker, with Bryan paying the other-half of the cost. Gary said it would be best to try and locate the marker on South College close to the city limit line in the general area of Hensel Park. Perhaps the ~iighway Dept would be willing to participate in the landscaping for a turnaround. The City of College Station's portion of the marker cost would be roughly $400. The County may participate as well, however, they do not have much money. Gary wants the City to commit to at least half of the funds. Someone in Bryan wrote up the marker application. Gary made the motion to pay up to half the cost of the Interurban Trolley marker. Joan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. VIII. OTHER CONIIVIITTEE CONCERNS: Greg stated that his ideas presented at the last meeting were the result of a brainstorming session, and he knew some ideas were not feasiblw The idea he was most excited about was the Interurban Trolley, which he believes could be a historic parkway. Greg stated that Bryan/College Station was one of the smallest cities the interurban ever existed in. Greg said from his research it appears that all the track was scrapped. It's possible some of the cars were given to another city. He feels it would be nice if the committee could get one of the cars so that people could see what it really looked like. THE INTERURBAN- YESTERDAY & TOMORROW A Century-Old Solution far Bryan-College Staron Toda}~ SURVEY DATA ANALYSIS Ql How do you like the idea as presented above? 8 !~ What would you be willing to pay for a ride to campus from an outlying area? $ l,ac 2.5 °t, l S~ C . ~'t, ~~ zs~ ~o~- Its S~- 2~5?0 45.00% y O• l °l. 40.00% 35.00% 30.00% ~t~g~ 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00% S ~ Ssvwi~. SNp X=35.Hgfi i qa~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ X+1s-?3.37' ~ 95~_ i i I i xt~s aS~~B~-~ i ~ ~ ~ x-as = -z.3g~ i ~ i ~ i + Z Z Z Z Z U U U U U n ~ N O t1') i I i SAS Model: MUDELI Dependent Variable: QUANTITY Analysis of Variance Sum of Mean :source OF Squares Square F Value Prob~F Model 1 14565.72690 14565.72690 82.029 0.0008 Error 4 710.27310 177,56827 C Tbtal 5 15276.00000 OBS PRICE QUANTITY Root MSE 13.32547 R-square 0.9535 1 100 3 Dep Mean 68.00000 Adj R-sq 0.9419 2 75 ~, C.V. 19.59629 R= ~2 3 50 54 R~ 25 1.0 Parameter Estimates R=.4g 5 10 lly Parameter Standard T for H0: g 5 ,_ _- - ~.''~iable DF Estimate Error Parameter=0 Prob > ;T IN'I'ERCEP 1 130.947124 8.82603667 14.836 0.0001 PRICE 1 -1.425218 0.15736128 -9.057 0.0008 6 If convenient I would use the Interurban streetcar: Never 11.70% Twice a month 8.30% Once a week 25.00% 3 Days a week 33.30% 5 Days a week 21.70% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% Q4How do you think the Interurban as presented above compares to riding the bus? Very Unfavorable Unfavorable Same Favorable Very Appealing 14.40% 14.40% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% QSAbout how many times have you taken a streetcar, trolley, or cablecar? Never Once Five Ten Fifteen or over .90% 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% I have most recently taken this mode of transportation in the following city: 21. ~}I-h~r 6.50% Basfpn Sin, ~r'A /~ c i s~ o 7.70% ~'a l v es ~+v h (~? Which type of streetcar do you prefer? Rtsl~ored /~ufHenfic ~ ~ _anoi U~dQR~ R cp i' ~ ca 57.00% Q~ What color(s) should The Interurban streetcar be? nSS or`~ 24.08% ~j(ac~ 5.39% 8. R~ Ylarooh 37.46% 18.78% Ol i ~r~ CS-rQ,ein C}r'-h~rs 5.39% 8 [,~ Do you think the Interurban streetcar would have any impact on tourism? Extremely Negative Negative No Effect Beneficial Very Beneficial J% 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% I drive my car to A&M despite traffic congestion, inadequate parking, polluting exhaust, Kampus Kops, pedestrian priviledges, public transportation, and inclement weather: Never Seldom Sometimes Usually Always 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% Q11 How far do you live from Campus? Over 4 Miles 24.20% 3-4 Miles 19.20% 2-3 Miles 22.50% 1-2 Miles 16.70% Walking Distance 9.20% On Campus 8.30% 0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% fi (~~~ How would you rate the parking on campus and around the perimeter? C,~13 Do you take the bus to campus now? ~ ~ ~ PLC" R C- Cry ~ S,S 101 pF ClU M V Z ~ T l V ~ i~ISTIZI C3uTlO1V ~S ~) FUNC"7-low dF PR «~ , ~ _ ,~ M~X)tb Y - --~Y25 (yb) t f3o.9s '6s,y `.033 x-I,Ycs -. ~ ~' n~-rc.ex~1' ~ 130 . ~S p = i . o oZ , ~ 13 ~ ~---~ ~ x T~ ~ o ~~ --~-- -------- - - - - --- r o ~. `~ - r ; ' I ~ r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~o ~ ,. ~ ~~ a ~ ~~ ~ I , , _ i o ~ ' iZ ~.~ ~ ~ ~ l ~, o~' ~ i y ,. i ~ j I ~ ~ i I ~~ ~ _ ~ -~---- a ------- s` 6° i ~- -- ~ ~ -- -----r X ~ i ~ ~ I , ~ I o i So ~ ~ i ~ ( ,~ I I ~A I ~ ~ i ~ I 3° I I I i ~ ~ ~ 1 ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~~ ~ ~ I ~ i , I , ~ I~ _ i~ ~ zo 30 `!o SO 60 ~~ 8o SO ~ P (~IC~ (~=r~~zF~ '1897 ~4LLEGE BICYCLE CLUB TRACK 'r~BLB D~ 5 BL~T~iBEA T1f0 D1TEf3. • a tears ~ •rur vrrua*~ F n[v. nxrwEEIT AM TWO DAYS WITHIN TWO YEARS. ' ~ ~ ~ r o ~ a S ri 5 L ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 6 ~ ° I A J~ y ' • V .Z i-7 1 ! !4 !3 80 61 91 92 141 122 162 163 182 18;i 213 414 444 445 474 276 SOS 906 935 S98 ~ .............. S88 867 397 S98 42b 426 458 457 458 488 487 488 617 518 619 647 648 b49 678 678 680 809 610 611 889 6.10 841 870 a00 671 701 B7R 702 9 K 62 f/9 123 154 184 215 446 278 907 SST %....:......... 868 389 427 ' ' .......... 4 6 S5 88 63 84 94 '95 124 125 155 158 fas 188 216 217 247 248 277 278 908 309 338 339 .{ .............. 6•••••••••••••• 388 970 400 401 428 429 459 L60 489 490 620 621 650 651 681 b82 61 l G13 2 64 643 G7S 70S 674 704 .............. .. 8 37 85 fl6 128 157 187 418 249 278 310 340 s••••••••••••• 371 402 l30 461 491 522 b52 683 G14 844 G75 706 ............ .............. 7 SB 68 97 127 153 188 219 250 280 311 2 941 7.............. S72 373 l03 40! 431 43.2 lfi2 463 492 493 523 524 653 654 58k 685 G15 61fi 645 64ti 678 708 877 707 ............:. . ... t 9 S9 l0 67 69 98 fri1 128 128 159 160 188 190 220 221 251 252 281 282 31 313 342 343 g.............. 9.............. 874 405 433 4fil l94 b25 555 55:+ 617 647 fig 70P .. ........ ~ .............. 10 ll 68 100 130 161 191 222 253 283 314 344 ~ Q.............. 875 406 434 485 485 b2G 556 68T 613 G4N ~ ~ 11 42 70 101 131 ]fi2~ 192 2'Z3 . ?S4' 28k 315 345 ~ 1•••••••••••••• 375 377 l07 4U8 435 436 ifiti 467 l96 457 62T 628 657 658 b88 5S8 619 62U 649 f,SUI •`L .... ......... .. .. 'j .. 12 19 43 4k 71 i'l 10.1 103 131 138 163 184 193 194 24 2 225 255 256 285 286 316 377 34fi 347 ~ Q .............. 1.3••-••••••••••• Sib 409 l37 468 498 629 659 590 6.21 G51 1 + .. , ..... . 4 .............. s 14 lb 18 l5 48 47 73 74 75 104 1Ri IOG 134 135 136 165 188 167 195 1'•18 197 71G 227 2'ZS 257 258 259 287 289 Y89 318 319 32U 348 349 350 14•••••••••••••• ~,rj .............. ~ 6.............- 379 SAO 381 410 411 412 lS8 439 440 lfi9 470 471 499 600 601 630 631 63'2 b60 661 662 591 593 593 G22 621 fi24 652 fi53 f.54 I 6 fA '68 6 .............. 6 198 239 260 290 321 351 ...... ~ 7 882 413 441 4T2 bog b33 563 694 625 G55 GBi 7 .............. $ 17 18 48 !9 78 77 107 103 137 ]38 1 8 169 199 230 281 281 322 352 ........ 1 s•••••••••••••• 383 41l 4!2 l73 603 534 664 595 G2fi fi5ti~ 687 .............. 9 ............ 18 b0 78 l0U 139 170 200 231 262 28.2 ` 323 353 1 9 .:............ 384 385 415 418 443 444 474 475 604 b05 635 536 565 bG8 596 597 G27 C':N G5T fi6N G88 '718 fiN9 718 QQ .............. ~ 2t 20 21 51 b2 79 80 110 111 140 141 lil 17.1 201 20'2 23•L 233 263 261 193 294 324 325 354 355 QQ.............. Q1 S86 417 445 476 b06 637 667 699 62:J 6,i0 G90 720 ..... ......... Q .............. ~ 2.1 b3 81 112 14.2 173 203 234 2fi5 295 325 356 Q "L .............. 387 888 418 418 446 447 477 478 607 b08 53S 539 569 b69 598 600 Ei30 6:11 6fi0 661 681 721 I fi9'1 7 a 3 .............. ' 24....:.......~.. 1S 24 b4 55 8.1 83 113 114 1l3 144 174 175 201 205 235 236 266 267 29fi 297 327 328. 357 358 23.............. 24••••-••••••••• 389 90 420 421 448 449 479 480 609 510 640 541 5i0 571 GOl G02 C.32 633 66.1 6ti3 693 7•l3 fi94 Tl4 2$ ........ • 25 fib 84 115 145 178 206 237. 268 298 329 359 Q $ .............. 9 381 422 450 481 511 54'2 572 G03 63k tifi4 l 685 725 26 ..... ..... . Q J 26 27 57 68 85 Sfi 116 117 148 147 li7 178 207 208 238 239 269 270 299 300 330 331 3GU 361 Q 6 .............. 2 7•••••••••••••• 383 423 451 482 bl'2 643 573 604 6'3.i 1i65 G9(i 728 ............ Q$ : 28 59 87. 118 148 178 209 240 271 301 33.2 362 Q $ .............. 393 424 452 483 513 544 574 G115 63fi 6fili G97 727 ............. 29 „•••,•••,• „• : 29 90 SS 89 119 120 149 150 160 181 2I0 211 241 242 272 273 302 303 333 334 363 364 Q J .............. ........... 3Q ... 394 895 ... ... 453 454 484 4f35 614 515 545 516 575 5Tti 601i 607 ~ 1f37 638 Gfi7 668 I698 728 688 729 .3Q ...... .... . :31 I 31 . 90 ... 151 tYl'1 243 ... 3U4 ... S65 . 3I .............. 396 ... 455 ... 516 ... 577 608 i I ... ti69 . . 73fi .............. . 1 i 1 1'he above table applies to ordinary. years only. 'For leap year, one day must be added to each number of dzy-s after Febru:.zy 28. Ex,ta+rtE.-To fmd the nttmber of days between June 3, 1892, and February 16, 1893. The figures opposite the third day in the fast June r. ]64; throe apposite the sixteenth day in the sxond February column are 412. Subtract the first from the second product-r. r., 154 from 112, am.:. .4sutt is l58, the nttmber of days between the two dates. - Weight per Bushel of Grain, Etc, The follo~ring Table shorra tho nambPr of pounds per basher required, 1 the law ar eas[um, !n the Bale of articles speclfled in tbo •ereral states ~f the Union STATES. Maine . ..... N. Hampshire...... Vermont .. ..... Massachuaetta ..... Connecticut........ . New York.......... New Jersey......... Pennsylvani,»....... Delaware.......... . Maryland ..........., Dist. Columbia...... Virginia.. ...... , West Virginia......, North Carolina...... 33outh Carolina ..... Georgia....... ..... Louisiana...... .... . Arkansas ........... . Tennessee........... Sentucky ........... Ohio . ............... Miohigan............ Indiana ............. . Illinois .............. Wisconsin........... Minnesota......... . Iowa. ........... .... Missouri ........... gansas.............. Nebraska............ Oalifornia........... . Oregon .............. ? ~'d ~ . Carrying Capacity of a Freight Car. This Table is fur Ten-Ton Cars. Whiskey ..........:......:...................60 barrels Salt ........................... ..............70 •' , Lime.... : ..................................70 .. Flour........ .. .......... .................. 90 .. Eggs ....... ........ ...:............13U to I60 .. Flour ............. ......................... 2011 wlt•6.t Wood ............ . ............................6 col•tl, Cattle ...:........... .......18 to 20 head Hogs ................... ~...............50 to 60 .. p .. 80 to 100 ' ` Shee ................ ............... Lumber .:..................................6,000 feet. Barley.... ...................................300 r... Wheat ..........:............................340 Flan Seed ....................................36r Apples .........................:............ 37l! Corn .........................................400 Potatoes ...............:.....................430 .. Oats ...................................... .680 .• Bran..... ..................................1,000 .• Butter ..... ...............................20,000 Short Method for Calculating Interest. Multiply the principal by as many hundreds sE • are days, and For 4 per cent .............................Divide by ~, g .. ............ ................. 71c .~ g .. ............................. 60 .~ 7 .. ............................. 5S ~. g t~ .........................:... 4b .~ g .. ...... ...................... '• 4S .. to " ............................. " ss .. 12 ............................. " 90 EaeMrnE-Interest on $50 for 30 days at four per cent, 50X;10=15.OO,which di~•idod b~• O1-1f1=3 cents-the required result. Quantity of Seed Required to -- -- Plant an Acre. --- KIND OF SEED. QUANTITY. KIfiD OP SEED. QUANTITY. KIND OY SEED. .jUA VI'1'rY. 5 lb Asparagus, i : 12-inch drills ................lfi qts. Asparagus Plants, 4 by 1;5 feet ........... ..8,OW Corn, sugar,..~........................ Corn, field............................ ... .10 qts. ... 8 qts. Parsnip, in drills 2+i feet........... Pepper, plants, 'l; 1>y 1 feet.. .... et 8 I N f h ll ki i ... ...... s. .......17,500 1 ts Berle ..........2t bush. y ....................... Corn, salad, drill 10 in ches ............. ....25 16s. t 5 ........ ;y e a s n, n Pump in drills 2 fact... ........... • Parsle ........ q . ... ... .4 Ibs Eeaas, bush, ,n drills, 2;S feet ..........1% bush. 20 b Cucumber, in hills ..................... t Fl b d s. ... .. q 20 qts. ~ , Peas, m dolls, sh~mt Yaneties........ ... ..•L bush 4 feet .............. qts. Beans, pole lima, 4 Beaus, Carolina, prolific, etc., 4 by 3 feet...10 qts. ....................... cas roa ax, Grass, timothy with clover ............. l i h i h .... .....6 qts. ts 10 Peas, in drills, tall canc+ies......... broadcast.................... -Yeas 1 to ] ' , bast.. ... 'f bush .... Beets and twanlrold, drills, 2~ feet. rill C .........91bs. 1216 aver .......... y w t .lut c Grass, t mot . . . orcltarC G . .... y ...25 qts. , Potatoes........................... ......Blru,lt. s ...................... s. on. u. G Brooa Ritbiaa~e, oe~ide, Mr transplanting........12 azs. . . ................... rass, Grass, red bqr or heads ................ . ....20 qts. Radish, in drills 2 feet.............. d b .......1t11M. a tnsL 1 p CgbbaRe, sown in frames... ........ ........4 ozs. Gra=_s, blue.......... ................. ....YS q+s. ta 20 cast..................... roa Rye, drilled............ ......... c F. ~ .... i ....1 ~< bu,! •Carrot, in dribs, 25•'e rect ............ l d G ' ........4 lbs. o:<c N Crass, rye..........:.............. ... ....... to nros L . fcr+ ...... Lettuce q . .... .....31bs , y . ' tiyua~h, hn,h. to h:!i; 4 I,y 4 fc.•t . . ..... ..3Ih- ............ .......... , see e en r,.;,+~ „I,~. 4 by •< f,•,•r . ........ •r-.:nw, . , I -~,.,, .,. ,.. _ ...:Ir, Il„ I ,,ui,;l,.. !.. ,, ,. ~ , r to drlls 2 [, ,-t . .. 4 Ib. ~ - - Proposal to College Station Planners Tuesday January 11, 1994 "1897 College Bicycle Track" This proposal is a result of the original proposal to the Historical Preservation Commitee and the discussion at the January 5 meeting. At the meeting 1sTEA funding was proposed. This funding could be secured several ways. One of the most interesting ideas was to build a colored concrete bicycle path and have it interrupted briefly by a ten yard section of "recreated CBC track." The bicyclist could then experience the 1897 track for a few seconds and then continue. At this site interpretation would be created to explain this crude portion of the track. Perhaps the best area for this reconstruction would be just north of campus on the railroad corridor. As mentioned on the original proposal, the tracks could be colored in blue, gold, or Olive- depending on which area the track services. These are the official CBC colors and will enhance the safety and aesthetics of the track. If the bicycle track will service four different areas, maroon would be the fourth color. The colored concrete track could also be grained or bordered with lumber, thus further mirroring the 1987 track. The designated bicycle track colors should be used whether the track is crossing a field or actually a lane along (or even crossing) a major street. This will alert and remind motorists that bicyclists could appear at any second. Proposal to Historical Preservation Comm. Monday December 20, 1993 "College Bicycle Club" At the TAMU Archives I. was surprised to find a bound book from 1897 in which the Minutes of the Meeting and other material relating to the College Bicycle Club was preserved. Although I xeroxed the entire book, only a selection is included here. Attached you will find the constitution, typed minutes (the others are mostly unreadable), and other supporting material. In August of 1897 (Exact date unknown) Professor W.B. Philpott (President), J.A. Baker (Secretary), C.C. Todd (Treasurer), Misses Bittle (Sponsor), Miss Rita Sbisa (Sponsor), Messrs Connell (Chair), Tilson, Kyle, Lewis, Harrison, and W.F. Hutson met at the library at 8 o'clock for the purpose of organizing a College Bicycle Club. The CBC existed for at least three years. The CBC built chutes, stiles, bridges, and culverts to accommodate the wooden plank bicycle track. The CBC met the first Friday evening of each month to discuss items ranging from setting and collecting dues, student membership (free), official CBC colors (Olive, Blue, and Gold), fencing and R.O.W. problems, maintenance, nominations and elections, and various other items. I am not sure exactly how long the CBC lasted, but it seems apparent to me that the arrival of the Interurban Trolley in 1910 from Bryan to campus ended a pressing need for maintaing a CBC track purely for transportation purposes. However, it is interesting that the CBC started in 1897 and was successful for several years in an area many describe as a bleak wilderness. Last month the C.S. City Council passed a proposal for bikeways to service the city and campus. The proposal included separate paths, lanes on streets, paths through parks, a path along the railroad corridor (location of CBC track), and tunnels under Texas and University. Since this project is in the planning stages, I am proposing to the Historical Preservation Committee that not only a marker be established at the original chute location, but that the entire C.S. Bikeways system pay tribute to the CBC. This could be accomplished by naming it The 1897 College Bicycle Club Track, 1897 CBC Bikeway, College Bicycle Club, or something similar. Perhaps just the paths on the railroad corridor or those surrounding campus could be named after the CBC. I suggest that if the C.S. Bikeways services three different areas, one area be labeled the Blue track, another the Olive track, and a third the Gold track. These echo the CBC colors and organizes the system. For safety and aesthetics the path surface and markers could be painted blue, olive, or gold-- depending on what area the track services. I hope this makes for some interesting holiday reading. I would like to discuss this at our first meeting of the new year. - 1• Sincerely ,~ C._. ego . Kei F HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMNIITTEE REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 3, 1993 - ?:00 PM CENTRAL PARK CONFERENCE ROOM 1000 KRENEK TAP ROAD Greg said he had another Idea after he read about the City's approval to build more bikeways. The A&M faculty, in 1897, had a bicycle path along the railroad corridor. This is where the city !s talking about building some of the bikewa s. It's a ve comprehensive lan but it would be nice if the portion that gocs by the railr d track could ha e a marker commemoratin the "Faculty Bicycle Club", as tt was called, which was organlted in 187, and they maintained the bikeway for several years. He suggggested naming that part of the path the "Faculty Bicycle Club" path. Gary sai~that if this is built, perhaps a marker could be done. Gary asked Greg to dig up as much info as he could find through the archives and the city, such as oldphotos, etc. ,,_ ~' i at I remove my coat and vest, inc. .n the brick house at the south l was very gracious and provided us lade on the south side of the house, •s w•e soon were quite refreshed any of the strange chances of fate :rsonally met Professor Connell. 11„ling me was a short postscript Gate Professor Clinton D. Smtt amending another person fc ointed, and all the correspoi eel was an exchange of two tele my reply accepting the appoir s I had left my wife and smal ~ :hat they would follow as was a much different plat land west of the railroad ~_iding from the depot to the of approximately thirty acres tt ) -;xperimental work in soils an< and was leased to Mr. W. C. . west side of the railroad pea irnish fresh meat for the college ~. ;' was on the east of the campus an was destroyed by fire in the spring of e ' •ings which included a Chapel, t. ,wilding, and several student ~ ,r% Two new buildings of brick, and Horticulture building, were under d south from the chapel and consisted :cupied by the professors who were ~Id main building w•as located near ilding. The space between the main drill ground and the students were ' gain building to march to the mess _ad graded walk about three hundred 'resident's House which was about the ' think that it is the only building on n I arrived. nstrudion and w•as not completed until of tcx10. The water supply was from '' means for creating it, and as it w•as ~iy xistory of TEXAS A. and M. COLLEGE through LETTERS AND PAPERS q and domestic water vas Fund (much preferred) and ~f heating the houses or 'he steam plant was also •uri Pacific switch was eam plant .vas started. w there were several 'so a few cottages on 1 the campus known and partly as class 4ain Building, and ;ilo, and the mule and in the vicinity imming pool and a ed to report to the a male nurse and at. Electrical service y and the current w•as cued until midnight on supplied two trains in the .n the day time the north DAVID BROOKS C O F E R -south bound at 4:0o P. M. ., other means of transportation College Archivist -did not give much time to Bryan. .urge passengers, but those wishing to .~dion had to depend on flagging the .~ Kind. Nearly all the faculty members kept ~_, but the road to Br an was so sand and dus that th referred the train if ssible. uite a num er o t e instructors an some o t e pro essors an t eir wives rode bicycles and they had ooperatively financed the building of a bicycle path from College to Bryan. This was adjacent to the railroad but not on the right of way of the railroad. The problem of fences obstructing the pathway was solved by building a narrow stile or bridge over the fence. 1 think that some people from Bryan also belonged to this club and cooperated with the bicyclists from College in building and maintain:n~ the pathway. r All the milk from the college dairy was either supplied to mess hall or made into butter whicl~ the mess hall also used. The dairy problem for the members of the faculty families was solved by each professor or instructor with a family keeping one or more cows for which the college furnished free pasture, sometimes in small los adjacent to the residences or at other times the cows were turned in with the college herd which [83] it _ ,,..~ ~ rage, but the road to Bryan was so sang ar ru ~ dusty that they referred the train if ossible. Quite a num er oT-the instructors and some of the professors and their wives rode bicycles and they had cooperatively financed the building of a bicycle path from College to Bryan. This was adjacent to the railroad but not on the t right-of-way of the railroad. The problem of fences obstructing the pathway was solved by building a narrow i stile or bridge over the fence. I think that some people ~~ from Bryan also belonged to this club and cooperated z with the bicyclists from College in building and maintain- ing the pathway. (17) It is interesting to note that the bicycle, which had such ,~NSppATATION The Impact in the Northeast, had also appeared an Brazos County. It Texas Sesquicentennial Edition rNas not only a transportation innovation, but also a forerunner of many of the technical elements necessary for the develop- BRAZOS COUNTY HISTORY ment of the automobile. These were cold-rolled steel, accurately- machinedgears, ball and needle bearings, and pneumatic tires. ~ (tg) pictures of this era do show cadets on bicycles, and this inexpensive but efficient means of human transport was a vital RICH PAST -BRIGHT FUTURE actor during this period. ' '~ ~. ~ t K t ~ t .. t .. ~t.... aut.. Bicyc% as Cadet Transportation, Texas A&M Col%ge -Early 191~s. (Courtesy of TAMU Archives) :~ ..~ . .+~ n ............. ~._~rluc. This a numt»r -895 - d a first EOition Nrnesd to OrM IhOUSand COpe3. Two MxWroO oo0iea fwe been dorabd ~ puDGc, state, uvrendy, and henhpe and netonW sodety libraries. PgfSFJVTfD 1p: T,,.•AGM Ll../rE /ts/tr AA'GN/VES T/a~sA~M Ur~reir.r• Lutu.e• By TAS BRiIIQS COCAVTY NER/TAGf AhD H/s7fXf YCO(.~1ClL rp TAr FAAI/LY H/$TQ9Y FOC.hLUrIQN h 9NW/Q! ~s Pr Mn L Arvcs~iv Jwwrte ~'e~<E / R ~I`~~ C)-~-c~ ~N ~NN-U~L rvei.ISHSn n1• T•1-1~ GORP~ OF GflDET~ OF TH$ A~ni:ul~unal anc~ j~~~1~~nieal Collz~e OF • TEX~~. '~ HAUD TnNTO CE5_nt?iT C-~RDiMF RERUM. iu~.rai:r,, nnu,: li.i.ra-rw~n:~~ .~~n F:~r.e.~~'rn uc 'I'ni 'i'r.eev li~r.w.~~•,~,: l'~.. Prr::. ur .1. C. l.i.wtrv S C~i. 189:. v ~-fi I +-I~. 1 f o.3 "~on~ H+an . Cleveland Bicycles .. , The sensation of the year. This wheel is stronger, lighter, more modern and more graceful Wan the cycling public has ever seta. Sylph Bicycles .... . Are -of We highest possible grade, and represents We perfectioa of bicy- cle constrnMion at the present time. Sylph Cycles run easy. Overland Bicycles .. . First-class wheels, at moderate prices; are well made of the very best material. Finely finished. A FULL AND COMPLETE LINE OF SUNDRIES. Write oa fe[ Catalo~ee, Prier uA Tetms ' ea oar Llae of Wbeels. AULTMAN, MILLER & CO. Commerce ud Lamar atree4. ... D~LL~B, T$Z~a. ~~~ -' I~ i ~, ~ E r ~~ P ; i _,~ t _. ~~ ~ritultural and ,ethanital ~olle~e ~- ;L`. OF TEXAS. ~:. ;, - ; - s. ~ moss, `. ~. :.~ A. J. ROSE, art aoa+a y Dt++eotora AUSTIN, ~Qa~~e L~J~a~lLQl2, Co/e~ca.G, August _ ~ 1897. The following named parties, of the College Campus, met, volunta- rily, at the Library 8 o'clock p. n., for the purpose of organizing a College Bicycle Club; Prof. Cornzell in the chair; J. A. Baker Seereta pro tem: ThoCe present-- ~dessrs Connell, Philpott, Tilson, Todd, Baker, Kyle, Lewis, Harrison, W. F. Hutson and Miss Nary Bittle and 1+~iss Rita Sbisa. After a few remarks from Prof. Philpott as to the purpose of the Club, it procr:e~3ed to the election of officers. The following were placed in nomination and unanimously elected: qf. B. Philpott_,___Preaide: J. A. BaY.er, Secretary; C. C. Todd, Treasurer. It was moved and carried that the President appoint a eore~~ttee on Constitution and By-Laws, himself to be ehatrman. hisses Bittle and Sbisa were elected Sponsors to look after the Treasurer. After a full discussion of the subject it was moved and carried that it was the sense of the Club shat the entrance fee be made "5.00 for each ric~*!bership. The subject of allowing students to become members of the Club, and feas for same, was discussed, but no action taken. -- -.-- ~- ;ul{ural and ~ethanital ~olle~e OF TEXAS. ROSS, P,ti,rarnt. 1 __.~.~.~._ A. J. ROSE, r~r~ a~,a w n~,~ea., AUSTIN, TEXAS. ~Qa~~e ~~a~an, ~a~tca, 2-- The President announced the appointment of Prof. Connell and Mr. Todd on the cornnittee on Constitution and By-LaWS. Miss Mary Kittle, Miss Bessie Ross and hiss Rita Sbisa were made a coro~ittee to select colors, and to re?~ort at next meeting. Club adjourned subject to t'e call of the President. - - ~~ t" Secretary. President. ' ~ F C O N S T I T U T I O N o f t h e C 0 LLEQE B I CYC LE C LUB. Art I. This organization shall be called the "College Bicycle Club,' of College Station, Texas. c Art II. The objects of the club shall he to own, control, and keep in repair a bicycle road from College to the first railroad crossing north _ of College Stati on, and to co-operate with tiie Bryan Bicycle Club in ma.Intai~ ing a good bicycle road from College to Bryan, and to encourage the delight- ful sport of bicycling. Art. III. The officers of this Club shall consist of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, 'and a Road Master.; all of whom shall be elected on ,no-~ination and viva voce: They shall hold office for one year. A ma~ority~. ,of votes cast shall be necessary tomchoice. i Art. IV. (Section 1.) The President shall preside at all meetings, preserve order, nominate committees, and perform the usual duties oi' this o f ~~' i oE{ See . ~) :; (Sec. 2.) The Secretary shall keep a list of the members of the Club anc~ ''a record o~ all proceedings of the body, and shall collect and deliver to thg Treasurer all fees and dues. (Sec. 3.) It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and safely keep all funds, to keep a correct account of all receipts and disbursements, and to pay ottt any funds in his hands as directed by the Club or any properl4, a~zthorized committee thereof, and to make reports w?zen required. 6 (Sec. 4.) The Road Master shall have immediate charge of the roadbed anti be resaonsible for its good condition, and~ma~~~e.such repairs as may from time to time become necessary. (Sec. 5.) The Club shall elect a Sponsor and two Maids of Honor to Bold office for one year. lS~°- _~ ~ Art. V. Those persons residing at the College who have manifested~- lively interest in t?~e success of the Club by attending the called meetings and assisti}:g in its organization are permitted to become'charter members': (Sec. 2.) All applicants for membership will be laid on the table for a least one week before final vote is taken. (Sec. 3.) Any applicant for membership receiving three-fourths of the vote polled at a regular meeting shall he admitted to membership in the Club (Sec. 4.) Prospective members must sign the following pledge before ap- plica, tion will be voted on: "I heret~y promise to comply with the rules and requirements of the College B~c~rcle Club and will earnestly s+.,rive to advanc4 ;' its interests and contribute to the pleasure and safety of fellow members." ~ (Sec. 5.) Members raay be active or honorary. (Sec. 6.) Active members shall be owners of wheels, and shall pay a mem- ;,~1 bership fee and regular monthly dues as assessed by the Club. (Sec. 7.) Members not owning bicycles, but who voluntarily contribute the mer_ib~-:rship ~f~e, shall be "honorary members," and shall be exempt from ~ pay.nent of monthly dues. ~Ste.i~ Art. VI. The membership fe shall be 5.00 for each vehicle used on the road. Several persons may use the same wheel without e~:tra fee or monthly assessments. (Sec. ?,.) The monthly assessment shall be ?.5 cen s f::r each active rnern'r~ I ' Art. IV. (;3ection 1.) The President shall preside at all meetings, preserve order, nominate committees, and perform the usual duties of this ~ .~ of~~'i See. ~) "~ 1 Sec. 2. ) Th® Secretary shall keep a list of the members of Zhe Club anc~ a record o~ all proccredings of the body, and shall collect and deliver to thQ Treasurer all fees and dues. (Sec. 3.) It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and safely r keep all funds, to keep a correct account of all receipts and disbursements, and to pay olit any funds in his hands as directed by the Club or any properl~ authorized committee thereof, and to make reports when required. (Sec. 4.) The Road faster shall have immediate charge of the roadbed anti be responsible for its good condition, and" mace-.such repairs as may from ` time to time become necessary. . (Sec. 5.) The Club shall elect a Sponsor and two Maids of Honor to hold office for one year. ~5~.~) Art. V. Those persons residing at the College who have manifested~• lively interest in t%re success of the Club by attending; the called meetings and assists?:g in its organization are permitted to become `charter members': (Sec. 2.) All applicants for membership will be laid on the table for a~ least one week bef ore final vote is taken. (Sec. 3.) Any applicant for membership receiving three-fourths of the vote polled at a regular meeting shall be admitted to membership in the Club (Sec. 4.) Prospective members must sign the following; pledge before ap- plica.tion will be voted on: "I hereby promise to comply with the rules and requirements of the College Bjrc~rcle Club and will earnestly strive to advance its interests and contrl~bute to the pleasure and safety of fellow members." (Sec. 5.) Members nay be active or honorary. (Sec. 6.) Active members shall be owners of wheels, and shall pay a mem- bership fee and regular monthly dues as assessed by the Club. (Sec. 7.) Members not owning bicycles, but who voluntarily contribute '`r the memb~:rship fie, shall be "honorary members," and shall be exempt from payment of monthly dues. Art. VI. The membership foe shall be X5.00 for each vehicle usgd • on the road. Several persons may use the same wheol without extra fee or monthly assessments. (Sec. 2.) The monthly assessment shall be 25 cen'.s far each active momb e Art, VIII~~~te,~,ular meetings of this Club will be held the first Fri day evening of each month and all dues shall be paid on or before the t i1re of such meeting. "-•` (Sec. 2.) A majority of the enrolled members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Art. VIII. Failure to pay dues after the expiration of thirty days will. subject the member to forfeiture of membership in this Club."" •~ f ~~ ~ '"~ ~ 11 v . t , ~~ .~ a .. Art. IR. (Sec. 1.) Students of the College will be given the pri- eges of the bicycle club track on application to the Secretary of Club, d no fees or dues will be charged students so long as the rulesof the club e observed. (Sec. 2.) Students must sign the fol~owin4 pledge in applying Por track privileges: RI do hereby promise to use the track of the College Bicycle Club at only such times as I am allowed to leave Campus, as provided for in the general printed rules of the College,or when upon furlough granted by proper College authorities: And I do further promise to submit to all rules and re- quirements establis~ied by the College Bicycle Cllub. Art. R. This constitution shall be in~force from date of adoption and ammendments shall require a two-thirds majority vote for their adoption. BY-LAWS. Art. I. The regular order of business shall be as follows: 1. Call to order, 2. Reading of minutes, 3. Report of committees, 4. Unfinished business, 5. New business, 6. Applications for membership, 2. Collection of dues, 8. Report of oft'icers~ Art. EI. (Sec. 1.) All members using the bicycle ~~at~a track during the hours of daylight are required to carry bells on~their wheels; at night, lighted lanters must be carried. l~~e./~.-,,,.~c.i (~.~,;., $, _~jq, (Sec. 2.) Violation of this rule will subject the offender to a fine of 25 cents for each offense; which fine shall be paid into the treasury of the bicycle club to be used ~~'or track improvement. Art. III. The colors of t?ie club shall be Olive, Blue, and Gold. ~...~. F I f ~nitultural and ,~ecl~anical ~olle~e `~ OF TEXAS. `~;;=5t:` ROSS, .. I "~ . ''~~.;.. A. J. ROSE, r,•..~t ~,~ ~ ntn..ea,, AUSTIN, T .t ~ ~a~~e `~~a~orl, co/e~c~, Oct . 1, 18 9 7 .~ t •~ ~ The College Bicycle Club met at Mess Iiall parlors in response ~. ~~+ . • to call by President. M-inutes of last meeting read and adopted after correction. ReTort of Committees called for. Professor Puryear, Chairman of E Committee to receive the track, read his report, t~~hich eras adopted. • Moved and carried that the Secretary purchase a book ]tn which ' to keep the miTiutes. The names of the follov~ing were read as Charter members who had paid their Membership Fee: J. H. Connell, Mrs. Connell, E. !~T. Kerr, C. C. Todd, J. C. eagle, tel. A. Harrison, J. A. Baker, R. F. Smith, W. B. Philpott, T. C. B ittle, B. Sbisa, Geo. Grupe, Chas. Puryear, C. F.. Burgoon. Moved and carried that Misses Bessie Ross, Mary Battle, Rita Sbisa, • be made charte r member's . ~Soved and carried to reconsider the report of the Committee on d to ~ receiving of track, with a view to amending that portion in regar extending fence. Moved and carried that the re~ort,.as amended, be received and accepted. Moved and carried that the Club accept Professor Smith's proposi- tion to pay one-half of the expenses of putting ina chute at this end of the track. Moved and carried that the president appoint a committee, himself to be chairman, as an executive committee. President appointed Profes-. ', ~~ sors Connell and ?•lagle to act in this capacity. ~ ^.'~..; ul~ural and ,ec anital ~olle~e OF T~XAB. ROSS, 7irsldcai. . 1 ~~r~+ A. J• ROSE, I A'ea't Board of Dfreotor., AUSTIN, T~(~, ~a~~~e ~~a~an, ~~aa, _~ ~ 2__ Moved and carried that the rule requiring all members to have lanterns on their wheels be suspended until October 15th. President appoi:lted Messrs Kerr and Burgoon as a committee to assist Professor Smith in putting in chute. Moved and carried that the President and Secretary of the Club be m wade a committee to draw up papers for the signature oP students who may wish to use the track. Adjourned. G(~ f.Lt~ ~~ ~ ~ -`~ 0 ~~ '~:~~ ~ritul~unal and ~/-}~-•echanital olle e ! t^ .~_~. ~ ~.S", y t. -.` OF TEXAS. €~ ,~ ~ ~ ~ L S. ROSS, ~.~a.~. ~~.:.. =~: ;. 5 r *~ . ... •.R. ~Qa~~e ~~a~oya, ~e¢ad, gOV. 11, 1897. ~ _ .~ ,~:.•. By call of the President the College Bicycle Club met at Library 7-30 P. 1~. Minutes of the two previous meetings read and adopted, after correction. Treasuri;rs re:~ort read and unanimously accepted. Report front Cor.~ittees called for. Prof. Smith, Chairrsan of Corm. for building chute reported that the chute would be built Saturday. Co*~mittee was given further time. Mr. Burgoon, Cornnittee of one to visit those whose names were pla^.ed in nomination, reported that he had seen five and presented the narmas of lir. Pittuck and Lieut Bartlett for membership. Report ~ . ac~~optod and eor.~ittee discharged. Professor Smith, Chair*nan of the Comrlittee to confer with tho ' ~. Bryan Bicycle Club, reported that he Yid tried repeat®dly to meet with; ;.:'~.- i the see, but had failed so far. Report addopted and eor~ittee con- ~'? ~~ tinue~?. ~ ' _ After a full discussion of improversenta on track. it was unanimouef' ~~ 1. ly carried that the Club keep up improvements only on this end. 1!oved and carried that the minutes of previous meeting be amenuea to include the na~~e of Mr. LeRis among the charter rlermbers t ~ , .' , ~~'. F ~ '=: : ral and ethanital olle~e ,~ OF TEXAS. ~ LL ~ . OSS, $ ~ ,. ~~ Pn.W.nt. ~ 2. ~a~~~e ~~a~an, V c~aa, r Moved and carried that the g©neral rule be suspended for the purpose of accepting new members. The following were accept®d as members: Mrs. Ross, Dr. Francis, Prof. "1`ilson, Lieut. Bartlett, Ddr. Pittuek, dir. Kyle and Prof. Hutson. Mrs. Hutson was made honorary member. Thr~ following r_teMbers paid their Nov. duos: Prof. Puryear, 1~?r. Burgoon, ~'.r. Grupe, Prof and Mrs. Cony:ell, ?dr. Kerr, Prof. Smith and Prof. rlagle. Roadr!aster re?~orted that he had had some little work done on the track, and stated he would put in the regular report at i:ext meet- ing. Prof. Smith moved that monthly dues be made 50 ~ instead of 25~ ~, until all arears are r~et. Prof. 2lagle offered a substitute that the Roadmaster advance the money out of his private funds. Both faile3 to get a second. ~[oved and carried that the ~tord "Applicant" be stricken from the Constitution and-the word "Application" be inserted instead. Adjourned. / ~ ~ ~s^/y / v ~ J -~, Department of Civil Engineering and Physics. ' i' ,', rl J. C. NAGLE, PROFESSOR. D. W. SPENCE, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR. ~~Q ~.an,~eaae, Dec .19th . , 1 ~9 8 Mr. Ch~irles Puryear, President College Bic~clQ Club. `,,. 1,~. .. . +, . i .t n Dear Sir;- ~~ Since assumin the o~ti~~ 8 man to ~ of Raadmaster for the club I have had ga aver the track and cut off the we°ds on thy; fir repair the PerltEe an the College end. This tAwk him threnydaysnann~1heRVas paid 3.00. No other expenditures were made on the track en ~ + cult ®f the request for permission to place the track within thenright of ~r~ _ way fence of the_H.& T.C.Ry. The track remained in reasanablr dition until the fence on the Bryan end wu.s torn dawn and tha, w~~-good con- YI stack cu+. the track up. It is now practically impassable and t'hn5 and wire that constituted the-fence has nearly all been carried tiff b~T° snoath persons. The former Raadmaster, Mr. Smith, informs me that the fencenwas never paid f~,r by the Bryan club. In order t© find out if it woula be passitle to sien to place the track on the R.R. right ®f way $ecurF: perris- ta see nrr• Lee, Superintedent of the Northerh~Dir•im~s~ian,~ whpT,toldtr~~sr~n submit the proposition in wrif'ing~Qo that it cc+uld come up in the r~>>Rr canner for cansidere.tian. He also assured m° that he wo»ld entRrpr.o~ at;- ~ectic~r.. On Oct. ~8 I wrote A?r. Lee at length, stating what we w and further stating that the club would tr to secur° additional sp~;ced~ ~~angside of Mrs. Eonneville's place where the right of way is tc,o narrow, that the fence could be set back a sufficient amat~nt t~- permit thg track beir~P; placed inside. I heard npthing from this letter for some ti~:e su ax I again wrote to A1r. Lee and he replied, static. that mgr been forwarded to A4r. J.T.I~4ah1, Fhginser of Maintenance Q f Wa ; 1Ft ter had ~ approval, but that 1qr. N~lahl had been very busy and had probably rothyets reached the letter. After waiting until the 5th. of De~cembAr I wrote to ~`r. P.~ahl and a few days later received ~ reply from hir+ an the same day that Mr. Lee wrote me, enclasin Mr. within the right •f way. The ~ N`$hIs permission to place the track hoc? been received b~- a- Permission had been given before m~- letter so that the Secretar~i`r. Mahl. I attach copies of the letters received, 'cy hands, J may file them for reference. ThA originals arR in I would suggest that steps be at once taken to securQ nec°ssary to build the new track, and to secure permission pram "rs•fnnnne- ville to set the fence out ten or Fifteen feet alongside of her f~:rm ~~~,.s well a5 to obtain permission to drain the and fiela, if it can be done. It may bR necessary~ust bAyond bar ct,l±i~:e:tr;d purchase the strip from her, but that can be arrangedpbvhthe cow.,±,ittee having thR matter in charge. ~~ Res ac± ~ ~~y. T ~ , P fully sttbr.*,i t t nd , ~ ' G / ~~~~ <~' 2c~ CtL~ __ ,~) i~ rte, ,r 2 f ~ cl C'' c ~ -t i ~ .. [~ ~c.r / ~i J ~ - J ! c2 ~~-f' C-~ (l ! ~.< < s l~~yl li~~-t-~~ ~ cZ_ ~Sfi ~~ ~ e ~. ru .- F College Statian~. Texas, Apr.. Professor Cahr~les Puryear, ~., Presdt. College Bicycle Club. ,: ~.. Dear Sir;- ,;~ Permit me to make the following report concerning 'fie N.:'-; discharge of the various duties ~s~sggta~ devolving upon me ~y order of bhe Club: ~` First, with regard to securing permission from A4rs: ~. ~~ '~,~Bonneville to place the fence alonside her farm further away. from the Railroad. In company with Mr. Sbisa, who introduced rye and bespoke her cosideration of our request, I called on her on Jan. 14. Mrs. Bonneville said that the affairs of her hu: bands estate were in confusion and that she would h:~ve to se all the heirs abottt the matter before answering me, and reques u ed that I trite her a letter explaining what we wanted. I-~~ Idid so, but received no reply. Twice more I wrote hPr but-sh did nat answer, so as soon as passible I called on her, anal she gave her consent to everything we asked, provided we would agree to move the fence back again in case she should sell the place and the purchaser should require it. Hawever, both she and her soa, Mr. Fugene~Bonneville assured me that they had no intention of selling the place, and only required the promise in c..~se circumstances should require them them to sell. On behalf of the Club I gave the desired ~aamfsgfnaxxxxxi~#lx::f.x promise, and acting on the permission given us the fence has ~' been moved and the pond drt~ined. Second, with regact to the Newspaper statement, in- 1 .. ~° l~._ .~ tended to acquaint the people ~f Bryan with nur intention. I prepared a statement and appehded the letters received f the H.~c T.C. Railrod officials so that it might be seen teat we were acti is bat?z -The with authority, and seci-red its publicutinn ~>?',,, ~ , -.,~+ tf~ of w'zicn Wt3.5 '~" ~~ ~_t e o~ ~exas. Department of Civil Engineering and Phyaica. J. C. NAGLE, PROFESSOR. D. W. SPENCE, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR. COP F Houston, Texas, Aec. l~th•, 1898. Pref. J.C.Nagle, College, '~,'P,XuB • De~3r Sir: 1 hand y~i~ hcrewith, next att&ched, letter Pram A4r. J. F.rgr. *". of 1Vdy, ~;rantin{; permission far T•~!'~Khl, your bicycle tr~~ek inside of our ril~ht et way fence, between .Bryan and College. a~ir.h kin~t re~;arda, Yours truly, ( signed) J.!!'i.Lee Superintendent. At F,1 pass, Dec. 9t~i., 18?E?. ~r. J.r'[.Lee, Suparintendant, Haustan, Texas. Dear Sir: I r~:turn~~ you herewith letter of Oct. 28th., from Prefesser J.C. Eagle ~~skin~; for Fermissian to build a bicycle track inside of our Right ®f a'a:- fence bt~tween Bryan and Cc+i]_Qgo Station, Th~~ permission asked far by Prafes8ar Nagle is gra:~ted with pleasure. _ Yours truly, (si~;nea) J.T.p;ahl. (Fngr. cf. ~~'. nP qaY~ Haustan, Taxua~ Dec. 12*h., 1896. Pref. J~C•ltraglQ, A •& r2• College, Call egQ, Texas . Darir fiir: I have ~JAUr letter of nec. 5th., and I wus iina~;le to advise Sled relative is .the bicycle track at CAl1F~ge heretaf'ere owing to my time having ber=n ta.rgely esnsur~ed in prepr:ring infarrnation regarding the cast of etlr read; for use in thc~ RAilread Ca,umissio:~ suit. I~ur~evc3r, priar r,c ttiA receipt cf ~-c~ir totter •f the 5th. inst. I wrote to Supt. Loo stating it would give t~s r.~ucri pl©tis~ire to grant yQUr requ©st. Yc~iirs truly, (signed) J.T."R€c1--1, (mgr. A'.c,? Way) • i ~., V p~ ,~: ~ ~ ~- , cost tt*-the Ciub~- Nhether ~r not the publication did any I am unable to say, as not a single voluntary subscription_~ in as a result ~f the publication. ,. ~` ., '~`,,^la . 1. ,: T -. ~~ ,~ .: ,~~ ~~.. yl r~ ~. :~ ~" \, ~' R'hird, with regard to raising subscriptions in I was added as a third member to the Committee q. appointed to raise same money in Bryan and made several visY'~s •t,;- to Bryan for that purpose. In addition to the original subs-;-;"% f'i,- scriptions secured by Mr. Burgoon several more ware secured ~,d ~. ,;:,. `' , some of the original ones were raised. Professors Smith ar~d"` aiesecke assisted me somewhat and while it has so far beer. imp, possible to secure the payment of t~[s some of the amounts sttbsJ: --~-.~ scribed I ha IIe secured $110.00 and Mr. Burgoon has secured a~~iut :.~„~..° $8.~0 additional. Professor Smith saw Mr. (}.S.Parker andE~i --~... secured a subscription in lumber. Some few remaining am~.i~rrt~s - ,,~ Chat were subscribed can probably be secured but the amoun~" .:~, ., _ that I regard a~~ coIDlectable will not amount to more than $5x40 "* ... . or $6.00, although it is probable that a few more dollars caII, E~ v be secured from the riders of 1~ryan, who withg a few notab~ew~.~ exceptions have refused to subscribe when approached, the ar=.ou,~ . .:~ collected having been `,given, Y.~r the most part, by business a}en . __i who have responded generously ~~~>many instances. ~,~ Y ..,:~:~ Fourth, with regard to`the letting of the contract.° Bids were received from only two parties, and on Feb. q'th the~'1 Executive Committee met and awarded th© contract to J.L.Rober~t son and J.W.Nunnicutt, of Bryan, for the sum of $124.50, the-_... Club to furnish all material and the contractors to do all word. As roadmaster I drew up a form of contract, which was aagaa~txx ~~p4 1 duly signed and has since been executed, the road having beel`!~~ accepted last Tuesday. In addition to the items shown there 1~ a ~~r:a11 1-te!~ f.~r. ar • e~:Lrr~, c?i h s~ ~ c7.~:i~neci icy, t-~^: ^.~~r! ~. %r':4-~ __ _~ T .~ ~`'~ v ;~ ~~ .s' J '~ ~~ r ~`, ~. ey are entitled tc~it. The items are as follows: J.L.Robertson11& J.W.Hunnicutt on original contract $124.5.0 " moving 30 extra panels a of fence....... ................................... 1.50 J.L.R. & J.W.H. for repairing fence ............... 1.00 " " for staples ...................... .55 - Tota1...•...~127.55 Garth, Hbwell & Webb, for lumber in bridges, etc.~~,~ 42.47 n n " " nails .................... 4.82 a~ S. Parker, far lumber, estimated . ...............18.00 1Q2.84 Total cast ........... ~it#Y~x To this it would be proper to add the IIelue of 540 feet ~f lumber donated by Mr. G.S.~arker, which at $14.0o would be X7.56, making the total cast of work and material on the road ~ $200.40, as against the 200.00 estimated. About y ~{~~~- 1 600 feet of old lumber taken from the old track was used, as as intended to be_dane when th estimate was made. '~-``' c~ ~~ The various items of cast were distributed about as follows: Far moving 250 panels of fence, estimated at, 20:00 For deaining pond ............................. 5.00 Far 4773 feet of lumber ® 14.00 ............... 65.£2 .~ Far nails ...................................... 4.62 Tearing dawn old structures ................... 8.00 /, ,, , ', i ~., ~l Plowings ,grading, filling in around bridges,&c.67.76 ~.. Hauling lumber ................................. 3.00 Building; two stiles ........................... 6.00 Building bridges and ci~lverts ............... .25.00 Tata1 ..............~200.9b' . ... ....... ............. t ?~ i ~~~ ~?~ ,~ ........ . , ..... ------fir --Collected .from Bryan by Burgeon...........••••••••• 6.30 Collected from College by 3mith,._..........~....... 51.50 Collected from College by Kerr .....................1~~.00 Total cash collected ..................... 1 8.00 t ~ .S ~ Amount in hands of teasurer ................ Amount still due on College subscriptions. 1.00 Amount in Bryan subscribed and collectable. =r6;S -~ T0ta1 ................... It is more than probable that still other subs~,:-:~r~. ,`: ;, v ~~ ~~~ Respectfully, ' Cc - ~' ROadmaster. ~` r i ti0ns can be raised in Bryan. I have paid out for all pur~~c~ss•: as per my bill, ~135:f0 and ther© is still due to the lutrt•er dealers in Bryan ab0ut~65.2~, making an expenditure 0f ar:c~u'. $201.00. Deducting this from the resources mentioned acnzre ~. leaves a balance 0f'1-3.5.4. In viev~~ od the poor condition 0f the traQ.k t0 tr:e top 0f the hill, due t0 the-rain and the depredati0rs 0f Fart: unknown I would recommend that that portion of *.hetrack t~e sl^~ rebuilt. The contractors Who built the other portion 0°fer t0 do that and also t0 grad~up ar0~.ind the bridge near chute, straightbn track ar_c? t0 bui].~two stiles for the sum of ~2:~ "''~ .- Add t0 this the cost 0f lunber f.0r two stiles, about $7.50~~ eight dollars will make the cost of the renewal of this p~'r" ti0n about,~33.00, s0 that it seems t0 me the Club can aff'0rc~ t0 have pit done. ' ~- NOTES FOR CSHPC SPECIAL MEETING FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18,1994 As a graduate student in architecture I have seen many plans for northside. Certainly something must be done. Here are a few ideas. Since we are just brainstorming, please ignore non-stop paragraphs, incomplete thoughts, and jumping around. BOARDWALK- The parallel parking along Northside borders a narrow sidewalk that fronts the establishments. Less than a dozen parking spaces exist along the strip. My idea is to eliminate the linear parking spaces and realign a 2 foot curb along the existing traffic lane. A boardwalk would then be placed from the new curb to the storefronts. The boardwalk could be made of lumber, railroad ties, or another rustic wood. This would create a safe walking mall along the University side of northside. It would also the 1940's atmosphere we are discussing today. Old-fashioned street lamps and benches could be placed along the boardwalk. I realize the streetscape plan calls for very simple and modern street furniture. Perhaps an exception can be made for Northside. Modern lamps, benches, etc. will only detract from a historic atmosphere. FACADES- David Woodcock speaks often of facades. Although we want to create a 1940's (1930-1960?) atmosphere, I think we should look at each establishment individually. We can bring each property back to it's most appropriate point in time to create an eclectic mainstreet look. The Methodist Church is the most attractive property along the drive and of course should be left alone. The Dixie Chicken, Dry Bean Saloon, and Dudley's are traditional college hangouts. Their facades have an old west nostalgia. I think any changes should be just refinements. The Campus Theatre is an attractive old- time movie theatre. That theme should be expanded on. The owner, Don Ganter, told me he was going to make the theatre similar to the Stafford Opera House- except for country music. Deluxe is a fifties-style hamburger bar. This theme should be expanded on as well. At the very least, minimal landscaping-would improve the aesthetics of this property. Now there is too much asphalt. In fact, any parking in the northside zone should be phased in with pavers or faux concrete. The old pizza but needs to be researched more. What are future plans for a business there? What year was it built? Ditto for bicycle shop. Adjacent to these two properties is vacant space that is perfect for plazas or courtyards seen in Galveston or New Orleans. There are also several opportunities for interior courtyards farther west. Bottlecap alley is unique in its own right. This is a great setting for a statue. As for the Texas Aggie Bookstore, the first task is to remove the aluminum and examine the hidden exterior. ~" ~:~. ~~. by Greg Keith At our last meeting were enlightened to the fact that President Mobley was interested in working with the City of College Station on historical projects. Since that meeting, Mobley has moved to the Texas A&M University System. Since I don't know if this changes the level of interest, the ideas below are proposed as if the interest still exists. This list was generated as a brainstorming exercise. Feasibility, expense, and practicality were ignored for the chance they might stifle creativity. 1 ] Recognition for a routes of the Interurban trolley in College Station as well as on cam us. This coulc~be accom lished with brickwork, si ns, markers, historic P P 9 parkways, landscaped medians with interpretation, and combination sign/maps. Termination points on campus could be marked as well. Perhaps a streetcar could be located and renovated that is the same model as the one that operated here in B-C.S. In Houston, or Bellaire to be more specific, there is an old renovated streetcar in the median. Their idea was sound, except it is surrounded by a fence and has no interpretation. During undergrad research here at A&M, I was suprised to discover how many people didn't know of the existence of the Interurban trolley. 2] Development for a History of Texas A&M Museum. The Sanders Corps museum is for ceremony and recruitment, it does not have the space for 117 years of Texas A&M history. Perhaps a new museum could be developed in conjunction with the George Bush Presidential Library or the Agricultural & Mechanical museum discussed at the last meeting. Of Course, the University Archives would pe located in the new building. Texas A&M has artifacts which should be displayed and not neglected. This point is illustrated by the case of the 1876-1900 cornerstones which had brass nameplates removed last year while in greenhouse storage. In addition, an ad in the Texas Ag9ie requesting donations (return) of A&M artifacts is sure to turn up many interesting finds. 3] Reconstruction of the train depot(s) near their original location. This was briefly mentioned last meeting. 4J Texas A&M and the City of College Station should discuss incentives for new building construction to consider period architectural styles. All the cherry red-brick buildings that marked the campus in the late 1800's have disappeared, but pictures and records of these buildings remain to guide today's architects. It would be interesting if new construction style zones were mandated, or somehow encouraged. Early Texas A&M for the campus perimeter, old south for one zone, southwest or pueblo for another, and early Texana for yet another area. This would increase the aesthetics of College Station and prevent construction without regards to appearance. Building standards would also promote tourism. 5] Perhaps an area bordering west campus could be designated for the old campus houses once they are sold, neglected, or abandoned. I think that there is one house that is currently in a state of abandonment near the bypass. These old homes could be renovated into a modern "Faculty Row", which would be reminiscent of the five professors' brick homes built from 1876-1879 and dubbed "The Line." I think a similar idea for retail and souvenir shops was conceived for Wolf Pen Creek. 6J At the last meeting we discussed historical markers for Northside. Once these markers are obtained, perhaps we could further interpret the buildings by noting all of the previous businesses or uses, as well as sites of the original Boyette and other buildings that served the students. For example, many people would be interested to know that Cafe Excell was once city hall. 7] The medians of the streets surrounding the campus (University, George Bush, Texas, and Wellborn) could be used for historical interpretation. In fact, I think Texas Ave. will have a raised median as a result of the planned widening. These medians can be used for statues, fountains, transplanted and reclaimed monuments (such as the old "East Gate" if it can be located), interpretive signage (in style of wooden signs in the medal of honor park on University Ave. west of the railroad overpass), old- fashioned street lights, and/or landscaping (xeriscaping) with indigenous flowers and plants tracing the heritage of Texas. Perhaps Crepe Myrtles could be planted since the city has been designated as the Crepe Myrtle capital of exas. In any event, something needs to be done with the perimeter medians. course it would be broken to allow for turn lanes, but large stretches of the ca us do not require immediate access. I believe there is a great opportunity here for historical interpretation.