Fisher Hall
a.k.a. Boy's Dorm,Coronal Institute;Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity House
1132 Belvin St., San Marcos, TXFisher Hall is a handsome structure, typical of institutional buildings of the early 20th century. Set back from the street, the regularity of its lines makes a bold design statement. It is the only building remaining from Coronal Institute and has filled many community needs since its construction in 1906 as a boys' dorm.
The building's name honors Rev. Sterling Fisher, Coronal's president from 1903 to 1916. From the dorm, the boys walked five blocks to the Institute. Coronal closed in 1919, but the dorm housed the Normal School Army Training Corps members during World War I. Nineteen twenty-three saw the building opened to the community as "The Soldiers and Sailors and Marine Hospital". Various individuals and groups had contributed to the dorm's outfitting as a hospital. Records even detail the items collected at a linen shower held in a local home. Other fund-raising events included a party and a motion picture benefit. "Soldiers and Sailors" remained open until a new hospital was built in 1960. The American Legion bought it and leased it to the San Marcos Baptist Academy as a junior cadet dorm. Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity is the present occupant.
The building's name honors Rev. Sterling Fisher, Coronal's president from 1903 to 1916. From the dorm, the boys walked five blocks to the Institute. Coronal closed in 1919, but the dorm housed the Normal School Army Training Corps members during World War I. Nineteen twenty-three saw the building opened to the community as "The Soldiers and Sailors and Marine Hospital". Various individuals and groups had contributed to the dorm's outfitting as a hospital. Records even detail the items collected at a linen shower held in a local home. Other fund-raising events included a party and a motion picture benefit. "Soldiers and Sailors" remained open until a new hospital was built in 1960. The American Legion bought it and leased it to the San Marcos Baptist Academy as a junior cadet dorm. Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity is the present occupant.
Bibliography
Tula Townsend Wyatt, "A History of Memorial Hospital," unpublished monograph, c. 1938, on file at San Marcos Public Library.
San Marcos Record, June 6, 1963.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks files, Texas Historical Commission, Austin.
Interview with Alberta Smith, June 11, 1982.
San Marcos Record, June 6, 1963.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks files, Texas Historical Commission, Austin.
Interview with Alberta Smith, June 11, 1982.
Health/medicine; Education; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
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.
Loading...
The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
About Hays County
Hays County Timeline
Hays County, located in the central part of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Tonkawa and Comanche peoples. However, the first recorded European arrival in the region occurred in 1690 when Spanish explorers made their way through the area.
In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.
During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.
In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.
In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.
During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.
In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.
Hays County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hays County, Texas.
- 1837: Hays County is officially established as a county when the Republic of Texas is formed.
- 1848: The county seat is established in the town of San Marcos.
- 1856: A charter is granted to create the Hays County Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Association.
- 1861: With the outbreak of the Civil War, many men from Hays County volunteer for service in the Confederate Army.
- 1881: The International-Great Northern Railroad is completed, connecting San Marcos to Austin and San Antonio.
- 1903: Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University) is established in San Marcos.
- 1938: The Blanco River floods, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure in Hays County.
- 1996: The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1909, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2015: The county experiences widespread flooding from heavy rains, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage.