archives

Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: Dr. Dick Smith

Dr. Dick Smith was a professor of government at Tarleton for almost 40 years, from 1934 to 1973. Born in Milford, Texas in 1908 to a county judge and high school teacher, politics and education were in his blood. Smith briefly attended Tarleton in 1926 before completing his undergraduate degree and receiving his master’s fromContinue reading “Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: Dr. Dick Smith”

Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: The Mollie J. Crow Building

As we near the completion of the 125th fall semester at Tarleton State University, let us look at an important campus building from our past, one of the first large buildings on campus. Located off what is now known as Military Drive, the Mollie J. Crow building was the first administration building on campus. ButContinue reading “Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: The Mollie J. Crow Building”

Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: The Fishpond

Today in our look through the archives comes a campus landmark that stood from the 1920s to the 1950s. It was an early predecessor to what we know today as Alumni Island, where the statue of John Tarleton currently keeps watch. This landmark was known as the Fishpond. The Fishpond was donated by the classContinue reading “Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: The Fishpond”

Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: The 1939 Defense of the Bonfire

Many of the traditions Tarleton celebrates during the week of homecoming can be traced back to the intense football rivalry between us (then known as John Tarleton Agricultural College) and the North Texas Agricultural College (now known as the University of Texas at Arlington). Many of the events of this rivalry sound like something outContinue reading “Tarleton’s 125 Years of Excellence: The 1939 Defense of the Bonfire”

Commencement at John Tarleton College 121 Years Ago

May graduation ceremonies will be held at Tarleton on 5/10 and 5/11. So, we’ve decided to republish a post from last year about Tarleton’s first graduation ceremony held in 1903. It was a special time for the five students. They were about to become the first graduates from John Tarleton College. The celebration schedule wouldContinue reading “Commencement at John Tarleton College 121 Years Ago”

Commencement at John Tarleton College 120 Years Ago

It was a special time for the five students. They were about to become the first graduates from John Tarleton College. The celebration schedule would encompass three days with morning and evening events each day. The year was 1903; the month was May. The students’ names were William M. Bowman, Monnett P. Chambers, Melissa PearleContinue reading “Commencement at John Tarleton College 120 Years Ago”

Women Who Tell Our “Tarleton Stories”

The United States celebrates women’s history in March each year. The national theme for 2023 is Women Who Tell Our Stories. The Tarleton Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections has several archival collections that were created by women affiliated with Tarleton State University. This blog post explores one of those women and the story her collectionContinue reading “Women Who Tell Our “Tarleton Stories””

October is American Archives Month!

In recognition of American Archives Month, here are just a couple of the interesting items in the Dick Smith Library\’s archives. The two pages pictured below (click on the images to make them larger) are from the Flora Clarke scrapbook, 1924-1926. It was created by Flora Marguerite Clarke Kinney (1907-1987) when she attended John Tarleton AgriculturalContinue reading “October is American Archives Month!”

Meet Our Staff: Phyllis Kinnison

Phyllis KinnisonLibrarian / [email protected] Smith Library – Lower Level, Room B05BI came to Tarleton in September 2017 to serve as the new Librarian / Archivist. As an archivist it is my job to preserve the collective memory and culture of a community and its people. My job has three parts: (1) I collect materials ofContinue reading “Meet Our Staff: Phyllis Kinnison”

Tarleton Thursdays: From Our Day at the State Capitol, March 21, 2017

Senate Resolution 426, issued at Tarleton State University Day at the State Capitol on March 21, 2017, in honor of Tarleton\’s centennial as a member of the Texas A&M University System (click on the image to enlarge it). This proclamation will be added to the University Archives.