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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

The story of the University of Texas dates to 1832 when Stephen F. Austin suggested that schools and colleges be provided. On March 2, 1836 the Texas Declaration of Independence stated that Mexico “has failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost boundless resources... and unless the people are educated and enlightened it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self-government.” When Austin was laid out in 1839, 40 acres were designated as “college hill.”

The original administration building for the University of Texas was known as “Old Main.” (Courtesy Mary Hodge.)

The University of Texas opened on September 15, 1883, with 13 professors and 218 students. Professors earned about $4,000. Several hundred trees were planted in 1884, and the Ex-Students Association was organized the next year. The opening of the university had a large impact on Austin, and continues to affect the city today. (Courtesy Ken Wukasch.)

The ladies who lived at the University of Texas “Grace Hall” dormitory are pictured in 1916. (Courtesy Carl McQueary.)

The famous B Hall is pictured here in 1951. B Hall, completed about December l, 1890, was built courtesy of George W. Brackenridge and his $10,000 donation. Students managed the hall where rooms were $6 a month, with two to a room, and board was $8 to $12 a month. Card playing and liquor were forbidden at B Hall. A glass of milk was 3¢, ham or steak was 3¢, hot biscuits 2¢, and soup or cake 2¢. (Photo by Jerry Hawkins.)

The Texas Union opened its doors in 1933. A massive fund-raising campaign conducted by the Ex-Students Association had provided the impetus as well as the funds for constructing the building. The building follows the Spanish Renaissance/Mediterranean revival style of architect Cass Gilbert of New York. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

Considered by many to be the most beautiful building on campus, Battle Hall, designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, was built in 1910 as the first library. In 1930 it was renamed Battle Hall in honor of school president/professor Dr. William J. Battle. This building established the Spanish Renaissance style that would dominate the campus for many years. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

This is how Memorial Stadium looked in 1952. The stadium was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, 1924.

The Texas Longhorn, “Bevo,” is shown here on Thanksgiving Day, 1916 in Austin at Clark Field. (Courtesy Carl McQueary.)

On Thanksgiving Day, 1916, the University of Texas defeated Texas A & M by a score of 21 to 7. As always, the stands were packed to capacity. (Courtesy Carl McQueary.)

The Longhorns are shown leaving Clark Field at halftime. The athletic uniforms in 1916 were not much different from regular sporting clothes. (Courtesy Cynthia Trenckmann.)

The students and faculty march at the A & M game on Thanksgiving Day, 1916. The student in the foreground, wearing an orange and white beanie, is a freshman. This “beanie” custom is still practiced by members of the Longhorn Band. (Courtesy Cynthia Trenckmann.)

The Texas A & M students form a “T” and parade around the field in 1916. (Courtesy Cynthia Trenckmann.)

This 1916 photograph show how old Clark Field was always packed full for UT Longhorn games. (Courtesy Ken Wukasch.)

James E. Ferguson (1871–1944), from Bell County, attended Salado College at age 12, but was expelled for disobedience. He was elected Democratic governor in 1914 and reelected in 1916. In 1917, his veto of the University of Texas appropriations bill led to a major protest parade in Austin. (Courtesy Carl McQueary.)

In 1917 Governor Ferguson’s serious quarrel with the University of Texas began when school president Robert E. Vinson (1876–1945) would not remove regents and faculty upon Ferguson’s demand. Students and faculty marched to protest the funds being cut, and dubbed the march the “Loyalty Parade.” (Courtesy Carl McQueary.)

The entire faculty, staff, and students supported President Vinson, and realized Ferguson’s veto of funds was in retaliation to the legislature that was being called into special session to consider impeachment of the governor. Indeed, in 1917, Ferguson was impeached and forbidden to hold public office again, and funding of UT was restored. (Courtesy Carl McQueary.)

This 1917 UT parade was forgotten by 1924, when Jim Ferguson persuaded his wife, Miriam A. Wallace Ferguson (1875–1961), to run for governor against the Ku Klux Klan-backed candidate. “Ma” won, and was inaugurated governor 15 days after Wyoming’s governor Nellie Ross was inaugurated, becoming the second woman governor in United States history. Billed as “two governors for the price of one,” Ma was reelected in 1932. (Courtesy Carl McQueary.)

Mrs. Helen Marr Kirby started her career in education in Austin by opening the Alta Vista Institute on September 4, 1876. She went on to become the first dean of women at the University of Texas in 1889. (Courtesy Barker Texas History Center.)

The University of Texas main administration building is known as “The Tower.” It was completed in 1936 and continued the Spanish Renaissance style of architecture that was established by Cass Gilbert. Oil had been discovered on university land in west Texas in 1923, and became a funding source that greatly benefited the school. (Photo by Jerry Hawkins.)

The Littlefield Fountain was designed by internationally renowned sculptor Pompeo Coppini. In 1932, the George Littlefield Estate gave $250,000 for the project and in 1935, the fountain was shipped from Italy to Galveston, where it was brought by train to Austin. Not only have many thousands of students ended up in the fountain; once, a 75-pound live alligator was removed as well.

The University of Texas Tower is especially important at night. After an athletic win or special achievement, the tower is lit in orange to recognize that event. If you missed hearing a game score, you can always tell if the Longhorns won by the tower’s bright orange glow!

During World War II, a record number of UT students responded to the call for United States military service. In 1943, this Japanese submarine was on display on campus. (Courtesy Bee Crenshaw.)

“TU” was a popular name for the University of Texas after the turn of the 20th century. This 1916 parade was held to celebrate Texas Independence Day, March 2nd. It was on March 2, 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos, that the Texan pioneers declared independence from Mexico, which was gained seven weeks later at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.

This float was in another Texas Independence Day parade. (Courtesy Ken Wukasch.)

The Round Up Parade at UT was one of the most popular events held each year. This photograph dates to 1952. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

This photograph of the Round Up Parade is also from 1952. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

Another 1952 photograph shows the Round Up Parade. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

Here is a final shot of the 1952 Round Up Parade. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

The University of Texas Longhorn Marching Band was organized in 1900 by Dr. Eugene P. Schoch. He purchased $180 worth of musical instruments from a pawnbroker, and managed to accumulate only 15 members. Dr. Schoch was an engineering professor and faculty member for 50 years. This bus was decorated c. 1952 for an out-of-town football trip. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

This 1952 Longhorn Marching Band practice was held at Memorial Stadium. Throughout the one hundred-year history of the band, a vast majority of the members have not been music majors, but students who like music and enjoy supporting the school, especially at football games. (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

The Longhorn Marching Band is shown here in 1952. The drum major was Hal Atkins, and the majorettes are Sally Nichols (left) and Ann Arledge (right). (Courtesy Tom Rogers.)

The “Showband of the Southwest” had grown to a 320-piece unit by 1988. In 1986, the band was awarded the Sudler Trophy for being the most outstanding university or college band program in the country.

The “Big Bertha” drum is one of the most recognized and popular parts of the Longhorn Marching Band.

The Longhorn Band boasts an overall grade-point average of 3.3. More than 35% of the band’s membership consists of those selected to Texas all-state bands and orchestras in high school, and another large percentage were valedictorians or salutatorians. Less than 10% of the band’s membership actually comes from music majors; 65% major in business or engineering.

The Mustangs bronze statue in front of the Texas Memorial Museum on the UT campus was the idea of the late J. Frank Dobie. In 1939, Dobie was responsible for gathering the $60,000 in funds needed to get the project started. It was designed by A. Proctor and consists of one stallion, five mares, and one colt. The work was not finished until 1948. (Photo by Jerry Hawkins.)