Sul Ross State University - Brand Yearbook (Alpine, TX)

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Yet today all that is left are memories of the way we were. 7

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Steeped in tradition and rich in history, Sul Ross became a melting pot of student ideas and a storehouse of student contributions and accomplishments. (1) Coach B. C. Graves posed beside an old Model T Ford. He coached the Lobo squad from 1923-39. (2) The first splash day” at Sul Ross Normal College. (3) Alpine as seen from College Hill. (4) Sul Ross State College in the 1950’s. (5) Sul Ross had a golf course in its early years, 1927. (6) Jackson-Harmon Barbecue supper for stu¬ dents of the 1915 Alpine Summer Normal. This summer normal program prompted the movement leading to the creation of the college in 1917. 6

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Sul Ross: A Colorful History of Progress The Big Bend area has been a wilder¬ ness of many contrasts: high, majestic mountains touching the sky; scrub brush and cactus covering rough, rug¬ ged terrain; stretches of desert waste¬ lands sheltering an abundance of wild¬ life; and herds of antelope and mule deer grazing serenely among stately yucca plants. In 1882-83 the Southern Pacific Rail¬ road cut its way across this wilderness from El Paso to San Antonio. Near the famous Burgess Watering Hole, a sta¬ tion stop was built which enabled the old steam locomotives to load up with much needed water. In 1883 the sta¬ tion stop was given the name of Mur- phyville and the town continued to develop as the railroad brought more trade to the area. In 1887 Brewster County was created and Murphyville, being the only sizable community, served as the county seat. During this time, considerable dissatisfaction developed on the part of the people of Murphyville with the name of the com¬ munity, and in 1888 petitions sent to the Texas Legislature changed the town’s name to Alpine. Alpine became a major trading and shipping center for an extensive ranching and mining activity in the Big Bend area. By this time the town’s business district had expanded to three blocks of store fronts that faced the railroad depot. Alpine also supported five saloons at the time. As Alpine grew into a potential cultural center for West Texas, the town was propelled into a new role. Rather than remain a “cowtown” with the bare necessities for city dwellings, the town entered into a period of rapid develop¬ ment and improvement and was incor¬ porated in 1917. In the early part of this century, the people of West Texas began to won¬ der why there were not any institutions of higher learning west of San Antonio. Educators began to petition the Texas Legislature to initiate funds to establish a college in West Texas. In 1917 the legislature agreed to appropriate such funds and the town of Alpine was cho¬ sen to be th e site of the Sul Ross Nor¬ mal College, an institution designed to train teachers. Construction of the present day Administration Building began in February 1919. Thomas Fletcher was selected as president of the college and he closely supervised the construction of the campus’ first building in order that it be ready for the opening of the 1920 summer session. Sul Ross Normal College opened its doors to students June 14, 1920. Sev¬ enty-seven students were enrolled for summer courses. Fifteen students came from Alpine, eight from Mara¬ thon, seven from El Paso, five from Regan Wells, and the balance from widely scattered places: Mertzon, Buckholts, Garrison, Bartlett, Bracket- ville, Uvalde, Del Rio, Santa Anna, Eagle Pass, Gonzales, San Angelo, George West, Marshall, Hamilton, Chilicothe, Kentucky Town, Shive, Carrizo Springs and Floresville. This wide distribution of students supports evidence that Sul Ross had a wide appeal from the very start. Fletcher had just begun to get the college on its feet when he resigned in July 1920 to accept another position, and R. L. Marquis was soon selected to serve as the second president of Sul Ross. The college opened its first long term session Sept. 23, 1920, with 75 stu¬ dents registered the first day and 10 the second day. The final total reached 118 students which included 24 first and second graders enrolled in the college’s demonstration school. In recognition of the school’s opening, the Alpine Avalanche published the following editorial: “Many in other parts of the state freely predict that Sul Ross has no future, that its doors will soon close for lack of students. The people of West Texas have long desired an institution of higher learn¬ ing. They rightly felt they were entitled to it. They have secured it; let them now get behind and push it, so they may retain it. For a school like this needs above all else a student body. Our prediction is that Sul Ross will become one of the leading schools in the State of Texas.” In September 1922 Sul Ross’ enroll¬ ment had increased to 140 students. The college was slowly growing. In 1923 the State Legislature changed the college’s name to Sul Ross State Teacher ' s College and Dr. H. W. More- lock assumed the role of the college’s third president. Morelock immediately proceeded to engage in a constructive development and building program, and during the 22 years that he was administrator the much needed facili¬ ties had been installed. In fact, a year rarely passed without some new build¬ ing constructed or some new piece of equipment added to the college’s facil¬ ities. In 1 923-24 Hancock Pool, a n outdoor natatorium, was constructed. The college took over Berkely Hall that same year. This building was the col¬ lege’s first dormitory for women. It had previously been privately managed by aid from the people of Alpine. In 1924 tennis courts were added to the cam¬ pus and Jackson Field, athletic grounds for both baseball and football, was constructed. In 1925, a nine-hole golf course was added to the college’s recreational facilities. The early students of Sul Ross dis¬ played much pride and spirit in their school. On April 1, 1925, students dili¬ gently climbed the hill behind the col¬ lege and spent a gruling day gathering and piling rocks to form the Bar-SR- Bar brand on the side of the hill. This was a very important event in the his¬ tory of the college. That October fresh¬ men students were compelled to climb the hill again and whi tewash the rocks. Since then the painting of the SR brand has remained one of the most important activities of freshmen orien¬ tation week each year. In 1926-27 the citizens of Alpine con¬ structed some 41 modern cottages for student residence. A gymnasium was constructed at the cost of $35,000. The State had appropriated $20,000, and the citizens of Alpine and well-to- do ranchers once again contributed money in the sum of $15,000 to finish the project. In 1930 the present day Education Building was constructed to serve as a library-classroom-cafeteria complex. During the 1930 ' s many new structures were added to the campus. These structures included the tennis courts, rock stadium, two residence halls for men, a large museum (now Student Center) and a bowling alley (now the Museum of the Big Bend). In