I.
THE BATTALION Page 11B
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1981
... something new for 20th century
By DENISE RICHTER
Battalion Staff
How are the 55 Aggies who died
World War I commemorated?
3y the 55 flags that fly over Kyle
r ield during each home football
ame, the 55 trees that surround
he Drill Field and the East Gate
nemorial.
This is an example of a campu-
ology question — questions (and
nswers) concerning campus land-
narks and history — that fresh-
nen in the Corps of Cadets are
‘equired to know.
But, if you were never in the
kirps or just want to brush up on
ampus lore, the following infor-
ation is for you. It lists some
irominent campus landmarks,
here they are and when and why
icy were constructed.
Academic Building
’he Academic Building was built
" ‘ n the site of Old Main, the first
luilding constructed on the Texas
^ - » AM campus. Old Main was built
2] 11876 and was destroyed by fire
1912.
Inside the rotunda of the Acade-
lic Building are two campus land-
larks. The 12-foot mosaic seal of
le University on the first floor of
ie Academic Building was spoo
red by the Class of‘78. A replica
the Liberty Bell, also is located
the rotunda of the building.
ir
Drill Field
ie oak trees that line the Drill
‘ield (located across the Memo-
ial Student Center) are dedicated
Aggies who died in World War
Bronze name plaques are
ached to the trees with spring-
aded bolts so the trees can grow
irmally. The trees were planted
1920.
In addition, the drill field’s
irinkler system is dedicated to
mes E. Sarron, class of ’58.
Eagle Statue
his statue, “dedicated to a cen-
iry of excellence,” commemo-
ites the University’s l(X)th
miversary. It was funded by the
lass of ‘76 and is located in the
irk on the west side of the Corps
ad.
West Gate Monument
he flag-draped granite memorial
the west entrance to the Uni-
irsity was erected “in recogni-
m of the splendid participation
the A&M College of Texas in
eWorld War (World War I).”
e monument was given by the
isses of ‘23 through ‘26.
Fish Pond
'en by the Class of‘38 in mem-
of “those who made the sup-
toe sacrifice in World War II”
id was renovated by the Class of
Located in front of Sbisa Di-
JngHall, it is frequently used for
addings.
Flagpole
Irepted as a memorial by the
j ass of‘12. The base and bronze
I ield were added by the Class of
The names of students to be
j nored by Silver Taps are posted
the base of the flagpole the first
Staff photo by Greg Gammon
Two campus landmarks stand facing the West Gate entr
ance to the university. The granite memorial (front) is a
monument in recognition of the participation of Texas
A&M in World War I. Behind it stands the Academic
building which is constructed on the site of the first building
on campus. Old Main. Old Main was destroyed by fire in
1912.
Tuesday of each month.
Meditation Garden
Located between the east and
west wings of Duncan Dining
Hall, the meditation garden
serves as a memorial to Texas
A&M students who died in milit
ary service after World War II.
The garden was a Corps of Cadets
project and was financed by the
Classes of ‘69 through ‘72.
Memorial Student Center
The M SC is dedicated to Aggies
who gave their lives in world wars.
Inside the center are the following
landmarks:
Regents Quarters — Hidden be
hind the small brown Board of Re
gents sign on the west side of the
MSC are the most luxurious living
accommodations on campus. Their
quarters include conference
rooms, a formal dining room, a
separate kitchen facility and guest
bedrooms upstairs, with Paint
ings, statues, crystal and china
abound.
Memorial Ring Collection — Two
collections of Aggie rings are dis
played in the Forsyth Alumni
Center. The first is the James Bed
ford “Josh” Sterns collection —
one senior ring from each class
starting in 1899 and ending in
1964. A collection of rings from
1964 to 2000 is in the process of
being compiled. Each ring in this
collection has been given by survi
vors of a deceased member of the
graduating class. Also on display
are two models of the first official
class ring (1898) and the rings of
M.T. Harrington and J. Earl Rud
der, the two former presidents of
Texas A&M who were alumni of
the University.
Memorial Wagon Collection —
The largest and most complete
collection of miniature wagons in
the United States. The collection,
located by the entrance to the For
syth Alumni Center, was pre
sented to the University by Paul
and Elizabeth Wise, Class of ‘20,
in memory of James “Scotty” For
syth.
The Metzger Gun Collection —
This collection, given to the Uni
versity by Carl Metzger in 1949, is
on display in Room 342 of the
Memorial Student Center.
Valued at over $1.5 million, the
collection has been called “one of
the most complete exhibits of
firearms in the world.”
The Sanders Collection — A col
lection of commemorative Colt
firearms, is located in 342A MSC
and was donated by Dr. Sam
Houston Sanders.
Wooden Plaques — These hand-
carved plaques are located in the
hallway on the west side of the
lobby and focus on various aspects
of Texas A&M such as traditions,
agriculture and engineering.
Carillon — This landmark, given
to the University by the Class of
‘81, makes its presence known ev
ery quarter-hour. The chimes can
be programmed to play about 80
different songs.
Reveille Graves
The first three University mas
cots, Reveille I, II and III, are
buried directly in front of the entr
ance to Kyle Field. According to
tradition, the mascots are buried
here so “they can always see the
scoreboard.”
Following the death of Reveille
I, a granite memorial enscribed
with “Reveille” was placed out
side the main entrance to Kyle
Field.
Rudder Fountain
A popular watering-hole for Texas
A&M students. Located in front of
Rudder Tower, the fountain is fre
quently visited by children, dogs
and between-class sunbathers.
Spanish-American War Memo
rial
This memorial, erected in 1953,
commemorates the students,
officers and faculty members of
Texas A&M who served in the
Spanish-American War (1898-
1902). It is located in the park on
the west side of the Corps’ quad
and was sponsored by the Amer
ican Memorial Association.
Statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross
This statue, better known as “Sul
ly,” is located directly in front of
the Academic Building. Ross
served as a brigadier general for
the Confederacy, the governor of
Texas and the president of Texas
A&M. The Ross Volunteers were
named in his honor.
Statue of 12th Man
Located behind the Aggie Club
offices, this statue commemorates
E. King Gill, the original 12th
Man. During the Dixie Classic
game played against Centre Col
lege on Jan. 1, 1922, in Dallas, Gill
was called from the stands to suit
up as a substitute. Although he
didn’t have to enter the game, his
willingness to play when called
upon stai ted the tradition of the
12th Man. The statue was spon
sored by the Class of ‘80.
Systems Building
When this building was con
structed in the 1930s, the orienta
tion of the campus was changed
from the west to the east. Noted
for the stained glass windows,
architecture and tile map of Texas
on the floor of the rotunda. The
Systems Building houses the
chancellor’s office.
but some aren't so obvious
By DENISE RICHTER
Battalion Staff
Some campus landmarks are
obvious — only a special breed of
student could walk the campus for
four years and not notice the
Academic Building. But some
landmarks aren’t quite as notice
able.
The following list describes
some of these landmarks and, in
case you want to see any of them
for yourself, tells where they are
located.
Band Drill Field and Band Insig
nias
The drill field and the band insig
nias on the pavement by (Dorm
12) fall into the “look, but don’t
touch” category. Both areas are
sacred to band members — a sign
warns trespassers to stay off the
field.
Duncan Intramural Field
The field doesn’t really count as a
landmark but the log cabin, lo
cated across from the Adams Band
Buildipg, does. The cabin is used
as a command post by the “red-
pots,” students who oversee the
construction of the Aggie bonfire.
English Annex
The red brick one-story building,
located across from the Engineer
ing Technology building, may
look a bit run-down but it is still
used for offices. Because of its ivy-
covered walls, it has a certain
amount of charm and it’s the only
campus building that looks like it
belongs on an English country
estate.
Forestry Building
In case you’re ever near the Com
mons and want to know which way
the wind is blowing, check the
weather vanes on the roof of the
Forestry Building. One is in the
shape of a cowboy riding a bull,
the other shows a cowboy roping
cattle.
“Hidden College of Texas A&M”
One of the landmarks that Corps
of Cadets freshmen have to scout
out. When Texas A&M was a col
lege, the tall smoke-stack located
by the Physical Plant was en
scribed with “A&M College.
When Texas A&M became a Uni
versity, the word “college” was
painted over but is still faintly
visible.
Mt. Aggie
Called “the world’s smallest
mountain” by Texas Monthly
magazine, the Astroturf-covered
slope is used for physical educa
tion courses in snow-skiing. It is
located on the east side of Kyle
Field.
Natatorium
The swimming pool inside the
Pinckney L. Downs Natatorium
measures 60 feet by 100 feet, -JO
feet wider than the average swiip-
ming pool.
The additional width was added
when Pinckney L. "Pinkie”
Downs, a former member of the
Board of Regents, learned that the
swimming pool at the University
of Texas measured 50 feet by 100
feet. He campaigned vigorously
for the expansion, saying that it
was well worth the extra expense
to have anything at Texas A&M 10
feet bigger than it was at UT.
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