Tarleton Landmarks
By Frank Chamberlain
THE STONE GATEWAYS
The rock gates that are located in three campus locations are among Tarleton’s more recognizable landmarks. The most symbolic of these entrances is located at the intersection of Military Drive and McIlhaney Street at the east end of campus. This gate was designed by manual arts director E.A. Funkhouser and financed by the graduating class of 1925. Ten years later, the class of 1935 donated the metal part of this gateway. (This is the actual portion that opens and closes.) The entire entrance was widened in the early 1960s. This modification was necessitated by a minor emergency in which fire engines were unable to fit through the gates during a Dining Hall fire. Today, this gateway only serves as an exit from the campus.
A second gateway is located in front of the new Administration building on Washington Street. The classes of 1932 and 1934 paid for this addition. These gates were closed to thru-traffic in 1984 when construction began on the Administration building. The closing of this entrance created a bit of consternation among the student body because it interrupted the social ritual of driving up and down Washington Street. This certain gate had provided a very handy route from which to return to the campus. Today, Tarleton students engage in a tradition entitled “cruising the island” during the first week of the fall semester. These spirit filled students pay homage to this bygone era by driving around in a parade-like manner in front of the Tarleton Center.
The third gate is located at the intersection of Vanderbilt Street and Doc Blanchard Boulevard. It was built courtesy of the Class of 1933. This entrance is the most heavily utilized of the three stone gateways as it provides access in and out of the senior honors parking lot. It is also the most convenient course for traffic coming to and from the girls’ dorms (Guthrie 63, 255, King 150, Traditions 28, 33).
THE ROCK WALLS THAT SURROUND TARLETON
The stone wall that runs along the north side of Military Drive was began around the same time as the gateway at the front entrance. It begins at the eastern stone gate, runs in front of the E.J. Howell building, and ends at Doc Blanchard Boulevard. This structure stands between two and three feet tall. Manuel arts director E.A. Funkhouser designed this wall as well. The college paid for the project and student workers provided much of the labor. This entire section of wall was completed by 1928. Eventually, a similar stone fence was built which surrounded the entire forty acres of the original campus. It is slightly taller than the Military Drive wall, standing almost five feet high in some areas. This project was completed throughout the 1930s, probably as a part of the Works Project Administration that employed many during the Great Depression era. President W. O. Trogdon ordered several segments of this barrier to be torn down during his administration in between 1966 and 1982. These removals usually coincided with various campus construction projects. Occasionally, a suggestion is made requesting that the entire wall be demolished. However, it still remains one of the most familiar sights at Tarleton (Guthrie 63, 165, Traditions 28-29).
THE CANNON AND THE 1928 INCIDENT
The cannon that sits in front of the E.J. Howell Building is perhaps Tarleton’s most recognizable landmark. This 1902 model artillery piece was brought to campus in 1922 to serve ROTC training purposes. The cannon was also frequently fired during celebrations and special events until the outbreak of World War II. Firings were ceased because blank ammunition became rather scarce during the war years. Shortly thereafter Dean J. Thomas Davis ordered the muzzle sealed and the barrel welded into a fixed position. In 1946, the cannon was placed in its current location where it has remained stationary and silent for almost 60 years. A campus legend proclaims that it will automatically fire again whenever a virgin walks in front of it. Thus far, observers are still waiting for such a phenomenon to occur.
In 1928, the cannon played a key role in one of Tarleton’s more interesting episodes. Tarleton’s bitter rival, the North Texas Agricultural College, stole the gun during the week of the annual football game. The NTAC students had regularly attempted to vandalize the cannon, but decided to escalate their aggression on this occasion. The invaders intended to do irreparable damage to Tarleton morale by stealing this prized campus symbol and bringing it back to their Arlington campus. Fortunately, the cannon proved extremely difficult to tow, and the bandits were forced to dump their prize into the Bosque River right outside of Stephenville. Manual arts instructor E.A. “Doc” Blanchard rescued the cannon from its watery grave by using a tractor to tow the submerged artillery piece to safety. Blanchard then repaired the now-broken wheels by hand, thus guaranteeing that future generations of Tarleton students would be able to derive aesthetic pleasure from this landmark (Guthrie 64-65, 386-387, King 149, 237, Traditions 24).
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
The World War II Memorial that sits in front of the EJ Howell Building honors the members of the Tarleton community who served in the war. The class of 1943 sponsored this granite monument. Over 2500 ex-students saw duty over the course of the war. One hundred and seventy eight of these men died during the conflict. Of the twenty-two faculty members who left their education careers in order to serve their country, two did not return (Guthrie 98-101, Traditions 32).
THE FLAGPOLE
This flagpole has stood in front of the EJ Howell Education Building (formerly the Administration building) since 1920. A plaque attached to the pole lists the names of the students and contributors who donated to its construction. This flagpole originally stood one hundred feet tall. ROTC cadets raised the flag at seven o’clock in the morning and lowered it at 5 o’clock each afternoon. The cannon was fired to commemorate the lowering of the flag in the evenings. The practice of firing the cannon continued into the 1940s. The pole has since been lowered, due to a city ordinance (Guthrie 63, King 147, Traditions 25).
THE SMOKESTACK
The smokestack that towers over the east end of the Tarleton campus was built in 1923. It was once used in conjunction with the central heating plant that was added in 1920. This plant provided heat, light, and power for most of the buildings on campus. The smokestack was restored in 1998 with the name “Tarleton “ written along the side. A campus legend proclaims that an invader from North Texas Agricultural College (NTAC) flew an airplane over the smokestack and dropped a brick down the shaft. Thus far, investigators have yet to probe the depths of the pipe in search of this foreign object (Guthrie 60, Traditions 26).
THE HUNEWELL BANDSTAND
The Hunewell Bandstand was one of the most beloved landmarks in the history of Tarleton. It stood in an area known as Hunewell Park on the space now occupied by the Tarleton Center (directly south of the girls dorms on the southeast corner of campus.) The bandstand was completed in 1928 courtesy of a donation from the graduating class of 1927. The structure resembled a gazebo with a stone foundation and wooden roof. This bandstand was mostly built by students and named in honor of longtime band director Dennis Hunewell. The college band was also given the surrounding land that they turned into a park. This area was developed by the students and became a beautiful site for band concerts or other social activities. Hunewell Park was turned into a recreation area in 1939. A mini golf course and courts for tennis and volleyball were built there. The place remained a very popular hangout for students until 1963. At that time, the bandstand was destroyed in order to make room for the newly planned Student Center (later renamed as the Tarleton Center.) In recent years, there have been discussions about rebuilding the landmark. These plans have yet to reach fruition and the Hunewell Bandstand remains a cherished memory from Tarleton’s past (Guthrie 62, King 154, Traditions 26).
THE FISHPOND
Another of Tarleton’s landmarks that has not survived the passage of time was the Fishpond. This concrete water-filled basin featured a statue of a child standing on a platform in its center. This decoration was donated by the class of 1923 and stood due east of the old Administration building (the current EJ Howell building.) It is said that the monument was erected in honor of the first professor at Tarleton to earn a PhD. The most likely honoree was either Dr. Edward L. Reed, a biology professor who earned his PhD in 1924 or Dr. Hugh Smith, another professor of biology who came to Tarleton in 1927. However, the first two presidents at the college possessed doctorates in the early 1900’s. (Drs. W.H. Bruce and E.E. Bramlette) Also, the 1902-03 Catalog lists English and history instructor William E. Martin as owning a PhD (Catalog for 1902-03, Catalog for 1924-25, Grassburr1928 23, Guthrie 64, Traditions 25).
“Catalog for 1902-03”
“Catalog for 1924-25”
Grassburr 1928
Guthrie, Christopher. John Tarleton and his Legacy: The History of Tarleton State University, 1899-1999. Acton, MA: Tapestry Press, 1999.
King, C. Richard. The John Tarleton College Story: Golden Days of Purple and White. Austin, TX: Eakin Press, 1998.
Tarleton Traditions: Centennial Edition 1 (1 October, 1999): 1-48.
The campus underwent tremendous growth during Davis’ 26 years in office as numerous facilities and buildings were added. Student enrollment had steadily increased since 1917, necessitating these new additions. Since Tarleton was now supported by the state, Davis could attain adequate funding for these projects.
The first Administration Building was completed in 1919, during Davis’ first year at Tarleton. It was built in order to house the Agriculture Department. However, it soon became the home of most of the other departments including Business, English, History, Math, Languages, Biology, and Economics. Throughout its history this structure was called both the “Agriculture” and the “Education” building. Today, it is known as the E.J. Howell Building, and it houses the Education Department. This is the oldest academic building still standing on campus (Finley 41-42, Grissom 34, Guthrie 60, Traditions 41).
Another key addition during Davis’ tenure was the Auditorium that was begun in 1928. The music program had been expanded to the point that the old Marston Conservatory could barely accommodate the growing numbers. There was also no space that would hold the entire student body during an assembly. The 1600 seat auditorium opened in 1929 and possessed the capabilities to present musicals, theater productions, guest lectures, and motion pictures. It also contained offices, classrooms, and practice studios. The Auditorium housed the music, speech, and theater departments until its demolition in 1982 (Grissom 36, Guthrie 60, Traditions 46).
A permanent science building was also built during the Davis administration. Such facilities had been sorely needed on campus since the opening of the college. In earlier years, the science facilities had housed in the short-lived Marston Science Hall and the Mollie Crow Building. By the early 1920s, the increasing student enrollment necessitated the construction of a building dedicated solely to the science department.
However, Davis was not able to acquire adequate state funding until 1930. The construction of the Science Building was completed in four stages. The first unit opened in 1931 and became known as the “North Wing.” Additional sections were added in 1935, 1938, and 1950. This “U” shaped building was closed upon the completion of the new science facility in 2001. At the time of this writing, the old abandoned building remains standing between the Education and Agriculture Buildings (Guthrie 58-59, King 178, Traditions 43).
Davis personally helped design and supervise the construction of a new Dean’s House in 1923. Students were hired to perform much of the labor on this new residence. The president/dean of Tarleton lived in this campus house until 1982 when president Barry Thompson decided to make his residence in a more private location off campus. Today, it is known as the Trogden House and accommodates various administrative offices. It is the oldest building remaining at Tarleton (Guthrie 60, King 150-151).
Davis also attempted to expand Tarleton’s student housing capacity. The Mary Corn Wilkerson dormitory for women received several annexes during these years. Chamberlin, Lewis, Moody, and Gough Halls were added in 1925, 1935, 1936, and 1938, respectively (Guthrie 61).
Men were given their first on-campus dormitory in 1920 when the SATC barracks from the WWI years were refurbished. This structure became known as “Fort John” and originally stood on the location of the present day dining hall. It was renovated and moved several times whenever conditions warranted. A large brick dormitory was added in 1936. This building was named Davis Hall and it provided housing for male students until 1975. Today it is used as an office building. Davis Hall remains a prominent structure as it stands a few feet from Lillian Street in the center of campus (Guthrie 61, King 177, Traditions 39).
Coach W.J. Wisdom designed the new gymnasium that was built in 1924. This building was home to the Tarleton basketball program until 1970. It was located directly north of the old Science Building in the area now covered by the senior honors parking lot. Tarleton won four consecutive state championships in this gym from 1926 to 1929. This gym was also home to one of the most amazing feats in collegiate history as Wisdom’s basketball teams won 86 straight games from 1934 until 1938. The old gym was demolished in the early 1972 following the construction of the new Wisdom Gym (Finley 43, Guthrie 60-61, 294-300, King 150, 207-209, Traditions 45,47).
There were still more additions to the school made during the Davis years. A central heating plant was installed on campus in 1920. The smokestack was added three years later and is among the oldest structures still standing at Tarleton. The aforementioned poultry farm was established in 1926. These pens and chicken coops were located along the southwestern corner of the campus on the territory now covered by Davis, Ferguson, and Bender Halls. The Dining Hall was also completed in 1926. This cafeteria still serves hundreds of hungry students daily (Guthrie 60-61, King 151, 153, Traditions 39).
The Tarleton athletic teams received their first formal nickname during the Davis era. Coach Wisdom coined the term “Plowboys” in 1925. He had intended to conduct a contest and award five dollars to the person who thought of the best moniker for the teams. However, Wisdom apparently was most impressed by his own idea of “Plowboys” and the name was used until 1961 (Guthrie 293-294, King 159).
Tarleton’s first official involvement with the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) probably occurred during Davis’ tenure. The exact year that the school adopted the program is unclear. Military training was established in 1917, the year that Tarleton joined the A&M system. Male students were required to join the “Cadet Corps”, commanded by a civilian faculty member. The Student Army Training Corps (SATC) spent a brief and acrimonious semester at Tarleton in 1918. However, the first description of official military science curriculum appears in the 1921 catalog. Therefore, 1921 seems to be the most logical year for the establishment of a permanent ROTC at Tarleton (1921 Catalog, Grassburr 1923 112, Grissom 118, Guthrie 81-82).
The outbreak of World War II affected Tarleton in dramatic ways. Davis made many adjustments to enable his college to contribute to the war effort. He helped arrange for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to allow Tarleton to add pilot training to the curriculum in 1939. These students trained at the “Tarleton Airport”, a piece of land east of town. The United States was not at war at the time and the course was technically intended to train civilian pilots. However, given the state of affairs elsewhere in the world, the establishment of such a program represented a bit of planning for the future (Guthrie 83, King 219).
As the United States became actively involved in the war, student enrollment dropped dramatically. The numbers dropped from 1,266 students in 1940 to a low of 332 in 1943. Many potential students were either drafted or volunteered for the armed services. A large number also chose to seek employment in defense factories or in businesses whose employee rosters were depleted by the war (Guthrie 84).
The Department of War designated Tarleton as a training location for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) in 1943. Five hundred trainees from across the country were sent to the campus for an intense thirty-six weeks of study and officer training. These newcomers bolstered the local economy and gave new life to the almost empty campus during their nine months in town. The Tarleton branch of the ASTC closed in 1944 when the Stephenville unit was called into active duty. Academy Award winning actor George Kennedy attended these ASTP classes while in the armed services. Although he only attended Tarleton during this time period, he is probably the school’s most famous alumnus (Guthrie 88-91, King 220).
Most of the academic departments modified their curriculum to better serve the country. Dean Davis officially expanded the summer schedule into a full sixteen-week semester similar to the spring and fall terms. This was done in an effort to increase the rate of graduation so that Tarleton students could join the war effort more quickly (Guthrie 83, King 219).
Many classes were altered in response to the times. A course was offered that taught secretarial skills for possible use in governmental offices. Women were given instruction in manual arts to enable them to find employment in various types of wartime industries. The Physical Education Department suspended intercollegiate athletics from 1942 until the end of the war. Coach Wisdom began a first aid class that included many enrollees from the community. Even the departments most tangentially involved with the nation’s defense contributed by dedicating many lectures and assignments to patriotic issues (Guthrie 85-86, King 220-221).
Other departments began to create materials that proved extremely valuable. Woodworking classes created the wooden rifles used in ROTC training. (The soldiers in combat were now using the real guns.) Industrial Arts students also built large models of Axis airplanes that were used throughout the country. Home Economics classes sowed pajamas for use in military hospitals and clothing for British children (Guthrie 85-86, King 220-221).
Dean Davis withdrew as chief executive after the war ended in 1945 at the age of 65. His 26-year administration is the longest tenure of any Tarleton chief executive. He was given Dean Emeritus status and remained active at Tarleton by teaching a current events class until his final retirement in 1950. Davis died shortly thereafter on May 12, 1950 and was honored at a funeral service in the Auditorium (Guthrie 96-97, King 222-223).
The J. Thomas Davis years have been described as the “golden age” of Tarleton history. He truly loved the school and always displayed a father-like concern for his students. Davis’ numerous contributions to Tarleton make him one of the most important figures in the school’s history.
1921 Catalog
Grassburr 1923
Finley, J. Rice. “The History of John Tarleton College”. Unpublished M.Ed. thesis. The University of Texas at Austin, 1933.
Grissom, Preston B. “The Development of John Tarleton College”. Unpublished M.A. thesis. West Texas State Teacher’s College, 1933.
Guthrie, Christopher. John Tarleton and his Legacy: The History of Tarleton State University, 1899-1999. Acton, MA: Tapestry Press, 1999.
King, C. Richard. The John Tarleton College Story: Golden Days of Purple and White. Austin, TX: Eakin Press, 1998.
Tarleton Traditions: Centennial Edition 1 (1 October, 1999): 1-48.