Locating Board: An Inventory of Its Records, 1923 and 1938, at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library


Descriptive Summary
	Creator	Texas Technological College
	Title:	Locating Board records,
	Dates:	1923 and 1938
	Abstract:	Records of the Locating Board which established the location for Texas Technological College.
	Collection #	U 113.1
	Quantity:	8 Boxes (8.6 linear feet)
	Language	English.
	Repository:	Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University

Biographical Sketch

Senate Bill No. 103 provided for the establishment of a “State school west of the 98th meridian and north of the 29th parallel,” thereby setting the ground work for the creation of Texas Technological School. Among the purposes of the school was to provide a “co-educational college giving thorough instruction in technology and textile engineering from which a student may reach the highest degree of education.”

Membership of the Locating Board consisted of S. B. Cowell (chairman), W. A. Nabours (secretary), Dr. F. M. Bralley, Dr. S. M. N. Marrs, Dr. W. B. Bizzell, and Dr. William B. Sutton.

The application form specified the role of the Locating Board, as well as the Board's requirement of six copies of each application. Members were not to accept, either directly or indirectly, any gifts, offers or bonuses which could influence their decision.

The applicants were free to submit their proposal in any form or size, as long as considerations such as climatic conditions, accessibility, water supply and location were addressed. 2,000 acres of land which could not exceed the sum of $150,000 was another provision for receiving the winning bid. Thirty-five cities and the county of Panhandle-Plains placed bids for the location of the Texas Technological School.

On August 8, 1923, the Locating Board announced Lubbock as the site chosen for the new college campus. A celebration to commemorate the selection occurred on August 28th, with Governor Pat Neff as the main speaker.

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Scope and Contents

The collection contains the applications, proposal and supplemental information submitted by 36 applicants for the location of the Texas Technological School. Several include black and white photographs, maps and blueprints. A few also have leather covers.

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Organization
	The papers are arranged into four series:
	Within these four series, the files are arranged in alphabetical order by the city/town name.

		Establishment Materials
		Application Materials
		Oversized Proposals
		and Legal Documents

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Open for research

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Index Terms
	The subject headings used by the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library are derived from the Library of Congress and/or locally developed.
	Subjects (Organizations)
		Texas Technological College--History
		Texas Technological College--Location
		Texas Technological College Locating Board
	Places
		Abilene (Tex.)
		Amarillo(Tex.)
		Ballinger (Tex.)
		Big Spring (Tex.)
		Brady (Tex.)
		Brownwood (Tex.)
		Buffalo Gap (Tex.)
		Cisco (Tex.)
		Claude (Tex.)
		Clyde (Tex.)
		Coleman (Tex.)
		Colorado City (Tex.)
		Crosbyton (Tex.)
		Floydada (Tex.)
		Haskell (Tex.)
		Lampasas (Tex.)
		Lubbock (Tex.)
		Memphis (Tex.)
		Menard (Tex.)
		Midland (Tex.)
		Miles (Tex.)
		Munday (Tex.)
		Paint Rock (Tex.)
		Plainview (Tex.)
		Post (Tex.)
		Quanah (Tex.)
		Snyder (Tex.)
		Spur (Tex.)
		Stamford (Tex.)
		Stanton (Tex.)
		Sweetwater (Tex.)
		Tulia (Tex.)
		Vernon (Tex.)
		Wilson (Tex.)
	Subjects
		Education, Higher--Texas, West--History
		Universities and colleges--Texas, West--History

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Related Material


	For related materials located in the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, see the following collections:
		W. Hamilton Wright oral history interview [sound recording], 1975 Burke Mathes oral history interview [sound recording], 1975 Harry H. Hewlett oral history interview [sound recording], 1982 Clifford Bartlett Jones oral history interview [sound recording], 1968-1971 Texas Technological College Locating Board Photographs, 1923

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Texas Technological College Locating Board Records, 1923 and 1938, Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

Acquisition

Collection accession #(s):
2003-0040-B

Gifts, 1969-2003

Processed by

Lynn Whitfield, April 9, 2001. Revised on June 16, 2003.

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Additional Sources



		Murrah, David. "Texas Tech in Retrospect: An Open Invitation."Texas Techsan, August 1979.
		Murrah, David. "Texas Tech in Retrospect: The Time Has Come."Texas Techsan, December 1979.
		Gabehart, Alan D. "West Texas A&M: The Selection of a Location for Texas Technological College."Panhandle-Plains Historical Review, 1992.
		Wright, Hamilton. "Big Step Forward in Education: Picking Texas Tech Site Was Big Event."Dallas Morning News, January 31, 1970.
		Johnson, T. E. ";Thousands Will Greet Committee at Edge of City; Program Tonight."Amarillo Daily News, August 3, 1923.
		"Plainview Entertains `Tech' Locating Board; Claims Are Presented."Amarillo Daily News, August 3, 1923.

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Collection Inventory



I. Establishment.
box	folder
1	1	Instructions for submitting location proposal, 1923
	2	Minutes of the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Texas Technological College, held at Sweetwater, Texas, March 2, 1923.
	3	Notebook with brief information on each applicant, 1923
	4	R. C. Crane's rebuttal to Wright's “The Winning of the West Texas College,” 1926
	5	Senate Bill No. 103 “To Establish the Texas Technological College”, 1923

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II. Applications.

Amarillo, Texas:

box

folder

The 12 ¼ × 7 bound books entitled, “Brief for Amarillo on Location of Texas Technological College,” contain black and white photographs, statistics, maps and information on the town of Amarillo and what it has to offer should the Locating Board choose this as the site for building Texas Technological College. 1923
(2 copies)

Brief for Amarillo on Location of Texas Technological College,” 1923
(3 copies)

Abilene, Texas (see also oversized section):

box

folder

The application includes a newspaper clipping about the construction of Highway No. 30; correspondence to members of the Locating Board; and Appendix A- Abilene Brief (3 copies), 1923

The 11 ½ × 7 ¾ bound books entitled “Photographic Views, Abilene, Texas” contain black and white photographs with captions of various buildings, scenery and businesses in the Abilene area, 1923
(3 copies)

Technological College with attached blueprint drawings for a dormitory; and Site maps for the proposed location of the college (2 copies), 1923

Booklet entitled “Brief in Behalf of Abilene, Texas, to the Honorable Committee to Locate The Texas Technological College” (4 copies), 1923

Ballinger, Texas:

box

folder

The application includes a signed resolution; a 9 × 11 ¾ bound book entitled, “Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas”, which images, statistics and maps (4 copies), 1923

Boerne, Texas:

box

folder

Includes an “Application and Brief of Boerne, Texas for the Location of the Texas Technological College (4 copies); and a Supplementary Brief (3 copies), 1923

Includes “Exhibit No. 2- Three Proposed Sties and Costs for Texas,” (3 copies); and “Exhibit No. 6- Co-operative School,” (3 copies); “Exhibit No. 3 and 4,”; and two colored maps, 1923

Includes a blueprint labeled “Exhibit No. 1- Skeleton Map of Kendall County Showing Surrounding Counties, Southwest, Texas,” (3 copies); and a colored map

Brady, Texas:

box

folder

Includes a blueprint of Brady, Texas; and proposal bound book entitled, “Brady, Texas: Dedicated to the Interests of Texas School of Technology,” (4 copies), 1923

Brownwood, Texas:

box

folder

The 8 ¼ × 10 ¼ bound proposal contains black and white photographs, statistics, and various information on the city of Brownwood and what it has to offer should the Locating Board choose this as the site for building Texas Technological College, 1923

Proposal (1 copy), 1923

Buffalo Gap, Texas:

box

folder

Application in the form of 2 pages of correspondence (3 copies), 1923

Claude, Texas:

box

folder

Application in the form of 1 page of correspondence (2 copies), 1923

Clyde, Texas:

box

folder

Includes the “Brief and Application of Clyde for the Texas Technological College,” (3 copies); a western union telegram from the Locating Board; a site map; and a letter detailing the specifics of the proposal, 1923

Coleman, Texas:

box

folder

The proposal includes a brief; 3 maps; a section entitled “Exhibit-Distribution of Population About Important Centers in Designated Section with Maps”; two blueprints; and 8 black and white photographs, 1923

Proposal (1 copy) and two loose maps, 1923

Colorado, Texas:

box

folder

Includes application brief (3 copies); correspondence regarding site for the proposed college; and a brief annendo showing plat and relief drawings of site offered for location of the college, 1923

Crosbyton, Texas:

box

folder

Bound application and brief (3 copies), 1923

Floydada, Texas:

box

folder

Includes application (3 copies); site map; and two blueprints, 1923

Brief (3 copies), 1923

Brief of Argument (4 copies), 1923

Haskell, Texas:

box

folder

Proposal entitled “Haskell- the Strategic Location for the Texas Technological College,” includes 4 pages of black and white photographs, (2 copies), 1923

Lampasas, Texas:

box

folder

Includes a location description; a brief (2 copies); and the cover of a third brief, 1923

Lubbock, Texas:

box

folder

Proposal and site blueprint (2 copies), 1923

Proposal and site blueprint (3rd copy), 1923

Memphis, Texas:

box

folder

Brief includes the application, information on the town, and black and white photographs (2 copies), 1923

Brief includes the application, information on the town, and black and white photographs (1 copy), 1923

Menard, Texas:

box

folder

Brief (2 copies) and description of site location, 1923

Midland, Texas:

box

folder

11 ¼ × 8 ¾ bound brief (3 copies), 1923

Miles, Texas:

box

folder

Proposal includes an attached blueprint (3 copies, one missing the blueprint), 1923

Munday, Texas:

box

folder

Includes resolution (3 copies, one with blueprint); correspondence; and application and brief (2 copies, one still in original envelope), 1923

Includes application and brief (2 copies), 1923

Paint Rock, Texas:

box

folder

Includes explanation of site map (7 copies); application; and four maps, 1923

Post, Texas:

box

folder

The 12 ½ × 9 ½ proposal includes a lining of “Garza Sheeting” from the Postex Cotton Mills, numerous scenic black and white photographs, and various information and statistics on Post, Texas, (2 copies), 1923

Proposal (copies 3 and 4), 1923

Photocopy of proposal, correspondence and supplemental brief, and letter and black and white photograph of mineral display. 1923; 1923; (1938)

Quanah, Texas:

box

folder

Includes correspondence; site map; and brief (2 copies), 1923

Brief (1 copy), 1923

Seymour, Texas:

box

folder

Application and brief with attached blueprint (2 copies), 1923

Snyder, Texas:

box

folder

Includes minutes from City Council meeting; application; correspondence; site map; and a 9 × 12 book entitled “Snyder and Scurry County Presenting Advantages for the Location of the Texas Technological College”, 1923

box

folder

The 11 ½ × 9 leather bound proposal includes black and white photographs, maps, and various information on the town of Snyder, Texas, 1923

11 ½ × 9 leather bound proposal
(1 copy)

Spur, Texas:

box

folder

Includes correspondence; booklet entitled “Spur, Texas: Its Advantages as a Location for the Texas Technological College”, colored site blueprint; and booklet entitled “Spur Farm Lands: The Homeseeker's Opportunity” along with its matching envelope, 1923

11 × 9 bound proposal includes color tinted photographs (1 copy), 1923

Stamford, Texas:

box

folder

12 ¼ × 9 ½ bound proposal includes numerous black and white photographs and information on the town of Stamford, Texas (1 copy), 1923

12 ¼ × 9 ½ bound proposal (1 copy), 1923

12 ¼ × 9 ½ bound proposal (1 copy, with original envelope), 1923

12 ¼ × 9 ½ bound proposal (copy 3), 1923

Stanton, Texas:

box

folder

Brief, 1923

Tulia, Texas:

box

folder

Brief (4 copies), 1923

Includes site map; application (2 copies); and site location information (7 copies), 1923

Vernon, Texas:

box

folder

Includes brief (2 copies); site drawing; application (2 copies); and supplemental brief, 1923

Wilson, Texas:

box

folder

Includes brief (4 copies) and blueprints (2 copies), 1923

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III. Oversized Proposals.

Abilene, Texas:

box

folder

Site maps (2 sets), 1923

Big Springs, Texas:

box

folder

11 ½ × 14 ½ bound proposal includes colored maps, black and white photographs, some of which are folded panoramics (1 copy), 1923

11 ¾ × 14 ½ bound proposal (1 copy), 1923

Crisco, Texas:

box

folder

14 × 9 ¾ bound brief (3 copies, one missing the black outer cover), 1923

14 × 9 ¾ bound brief (2 copies), 1923

Lubbock, Texas:

box

folder

14 × 10 bound brief and 12 × 9 bound brief, 1923

Panhandle-Plains Country, Texas:

box

folder

14 × 10 ¼ bound brief (2 copies, one missing the colored map), 1923

Plainview, Texas:

box

folder

14 × 10 ¼ bound brief (2 copies, with black covers); correspondence regarding elimination of railroad crossing on Sixth Street; and site location information, 1923

14 × 10 ¼ bound brief (3 copies, with green covers), 1923

San Angelo, Texas:

box

folder

14 ¾ × 10 ½ bound brief includes various information on the town of San Angelo as well as numerous black and white photographs (2 copies), 1923

box

folder

Supplementary materials: Exhibit Items A-I, K-O, 1923

Includes San Angelo Fair Booklet; site alternative and black and white photograph of Glenmore Farm Irrigation and Power Dam; and site blueprint, 1923

Supplementary materials: Supplementing the San Angelo Brief and Exhibit Items A-I, K-O, 1923

Sweetwater, Texas:

box

folder

14 × 10 ¼ bound brief (2 copies), 1923

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IV. Legal Documents. The following persons sold property to the State of Texas for the location of Texas Technological College. Details pertaining to the location of the land is explained in detail in the warranty deeds, which are photocopies from the Martin Stationary Company in Dallas, Texas.

box

folder

Contracts to Purchase Land for Texas Technological College, 1923

Surveyor's Report, 1923

Tax Receipts, 1923

Warranty Deeds to Purchase Land for Texas Technological College, 1923

item

Alexander, J. E. and wife, Ellen S. Alexander were paid $4,000 (2 copies).

item

Alexander, Joab L., now a widower, was paid $7,000 (2 copies).

item

Allen, Olive Curran (nee Olive Bevington), now a widow, was paid $3,000. (2 copies).

item

Boerner, F. W. and wife, Ora Boerner, were paid $20,000 (2 copies).

item

Bryan, J. H. and wife, Gertrude J. Bryan, and Sam C. Arnett and wife, Ford H. Arnett, were paid $47,000 (2 copies).

item

Carruth, W. R. and wife, Mattie Carruth, were paid $6,000 (2 copies).

item

Copp, J. E. and wife, Jane Copp, were paid $4,000 (2 copies).

item

Hankins, J. H. and wife, Nell Hankins, were paid $2,100 (2 copies).

item

Jackson, A. W. and wife, Ollie A. Jackson, and J. B. Jackson were paid $24,240 (2 copies).

item

Lawson, J. T. and wife, Rose (?) Lawson, were paid $7,000 (2 copies).

item

Montgomery, L. C. and wife, J. R. Montgomery, were paid $150 (2 copies).

item

Niblick, Christena, a widow, was paid $32,000 (2 copies).

item

Overton, M. C. and wife, Nannie (?) J. Overton, were paid $1.00 (2 copies).

item

Peebler, O. F. and wife, Mayme L. Peebler, were paid $2,000 (2 copies).

item

Robards, J. C. and wife, Pearl Robards, were paid $25,000 (2 copies).

item

Rush, G. A., a widower, was paid $40,950 (2 copies).

item

Spikes, Fred and wife, Lillie E. Spikes, were paid $1,250 (2 copies).

item

Thorp, Ed and wife, Lottie Thorp, were paid $750 (2 copies).

item

Wall, Elmo and wife, Lillie Wall, were paid $387.22 (2 copies).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Locating Board:

An Inventory of Its Records, 1923 and 1938, at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library

Organization

Access Restrictions

I. Establishment.

II. Applications.

III. Oversized Proposals.

IV. Legal Documents. The following persons sold property to the State of Texas for the location of Texas Technological College. Details pertaining to the location of the land is explained in detail in the warranty deeds, which are photocopies from the Martin Stationary Company in Dallas, Texas.