 Timeline Series
1910s With our upcoming Centennial in 2010, West Texas A&M University takes a look back at the past 98 years. In the months to come, we’ll bring you snippets of WTAMU history through accounts of the past and photos from days gone by.
In the Beginning
In 1909, Gov. T.M. Campbell signed a bill for the establishment of a normal college west of the 98th meridian. The people of Canyon City were determined to bring the school, already named West Texas State Normal College (WTSNC), to their area of the Texas Panhandle. They put up $100,000 and a 40-acre tract of T-Anchor Ranch land in a bid for the college. The money was a nice incentive, and it's rumored the city's lack of saloons also strengthened its case for winning the bid. On Sept. 20, 1910, students began their journey at West Texas Normal College alongside President R.B. Cousins and 16 faculty members.
A "Temporary Inconvenience" Dedicated in 1911, the first academic building on campus was the “Administration Building.” It contained the only classroom, laboratory, library and office structure on campus. But in 1914, a workman's torch set the building ablaze, destroying everything. President Cousins, in an address to faculty, students and townspeople later that day, spoke of the disaster as a "temporary inconvenience." He boldly stated that great institutions do not burn. "If West Texas State is nothing more than brick and mortar," he said, "it ought to die." A student arose and asked how many would remain loyal in the eye of the storm. The crowd stood en masse pledging their loyalty. Dedicated students and faculty continued on with classes in churches, vacant buildings and hastily erected "shacks." The old Administration Building's features were far surpassed when a replacement structure opened 25 months after the fire. The new, four-story Administration Building contained classrooms, offices, a library, swimming pool and gymnasium. It was described as the "greatest building in Texas, the Capitol only excepted." This structure is now called "Old Main" and serves as a symbol of the mission and goals of West Texas A&M University.
Interesting Facts
- Notable Faculty - Georgia O'Keefe, destined to become a world-renowned artist, was a faculty member from 1916-1918. Rustic prairies, sunsets and the vastness of nature in the Texas Panhandle made a lasting impression on O'Keefe. In 2005, a Texas State Historical Marker recognizing “Georgia O’Keefe in Canyon” was erected on campus south of Old Main.
- Admission Requirements - Qualified students had to be of good moral character, free from contagious disease and more than 16 years of age. The completion of ninth grade was considered fair preparation.
- Mission - The mission of WTSNC was to train students to teach. Daily chapel was mandatory.
- Student Organizations - Most student organizations were gender-specific literary societies. The YWCA was active during this time, and class affiliation was very important.
- Housing - Most students lived in rooming and boarding houses and walked 8-24 unpaved blocks to school. There were only seven cars in all of Canyon.
- Entertainment – Tickets to the Opera House in Canyon cost 25 cents. If no performance was scheduled, students could roller skate in the building.
- In the News - War, flu epidemic, prohibition debates, voting rights for women and the sinking of the Titanic were just a few of the topics covered in the news.
Special thanks to Dr. Marty Kuhlman, WTAMU associate professor in the Department of History and Geography, Bonnie Mask of the Alumni Association and information from Dr. Peter Petersen, professor emeritus of history. | 
