Main Building, Southwest Texas Normal School
a.k.a. Old Main,Southwest Texas State University
Old Main St., Southwest Texas State University campus, San Marcos, TXAmong the many fine buildings of the state, the old Main Building erected for the Southwest Texas Normal School stands out. The design is Victorian Gothic, with steep gables, arched windows, dormers, and roof finials. The setting is particularly lovely. "Old Main" occupies Chautauqua Hill, and its distinctive outline is visible for miles.
In 1899, the Texas Legislature established the university-to-be as a "normal" school, a teachers' college. It would be located on a hilly, 11-acre tract given by the city, that since 1885 had hosted educational and inspirational meetings. The property became available with the Chautauqua's collapse. Edward Northcraft, a local professional of considerable talent, was chosen as the architect for the school's first building. The cornerstone was laid on April 28, 1902. It opened in 1903 with a faculty of 17 and an enrollment of 303 but grew rapidly in size and prestige. Nineteen-fifteen saw its status elevated to junior college. In 1918, Southwest Texas became a full, four-year college; in 1936, it opened a graduate school. Finally, in 1969, the name was changed to Southwest Texas State University. Among its many graduates was Lyndon B. Johnson, in 1930. Present enrollment is over 15,000.
Today, Old Main houses the ROTC and Journalism Departments. An extensive restoration program is being planned.
Bibliography
Texas Democrat, April 28, 1902.
Annie Hall, The History of Hays County, Texas, plate VII.
"Background on Old Main," press release from University News Service, 1972. The Pedagogue, yearbook published by Southwest Texas Normal School and Southwest Texas State College. 1905 and 1916 editions.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.