City Secretary, Historic Preservation, Public Communications

City presents 100th historical marker to 1932 Southside home

(L-R): Councilwoman Linda Harvell, HPC Chairman Gerald Burgner, Emily Jane Cowen, Chris Cowen, Councilman Dennis Maloney, and Mayor Karl Mooney.

By Jay Socol, Public Communications Director

Let’s face it: Plenty of College Station residents were born before our city was officially incorporated in 1938. Still, honoring our history — albeit a relatively brief one — is essential.

That’s why College Station’s Historic Preservation Committee had the vision to launch its Historical Marker Program in 1991. The effort recognizes qualifying homes, buildings, sites, events and other classifications significant to College Station’s earliest days.

The College Station City Council on Thursday honored the 100^th residence to receive a marker: 603 Guernsey Street, which is owned by Chris and Emily Jane Cowen. The Cowens purchased their beautiful 1932 home in 2012 and later renovated the entire structure. They now have a numbered, cast-aluminum plaque bearing the likeness of an old College Station railroad depot to display on their home with pride. Continue reading “City presents 100th historical marker to 1932 Southside home”

Historic Preservation, Public Communications

Celebrating 80 years as the best place in Texas

Friday marks the 80th anniversary of College Station’s incorporation as a city. What started as a tiny community of about 2,000 residents has grown into one of the country’s most desirable and fastest-growing cities. Everyone is invited to celebrate our community’s birthday on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Richard Carter Park, located at 1800 Brazoswood Drive. The event will take place, rain or shine. Continue reading Celebrating 80 years as the best place in Texas

Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Public Communications

Proud history moves Lincoln Center “forever forward”

By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator

People of all ages filter through the Lincoln Recreation Center for various activities and programs, but many don’t realize the building’s historical significance. With February being African American History Month, it’s a perfect time to take a look back at the proud history of Lincoln High School.

More than 2,000 people arrived in Brazos County as slaves. Formal education didn’t exist until the Public Schools Act of 1871. By 1923, 127 African-American students were enrolled in the A&M Consolidated School District. The district accommodated only elementary school students until it began busing pupils to Kemp High School in Bryan.

Continue reading “Proud history moves Lincoln Center “forever forward””

Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation

Digging into College Station’s past at Carter Park

By Ben Gracia, Heritage Programs Intern

College Station has an abundance of beautiful parks with playgrounds, athletic fields, and other amenities. Some also have interesting historical aspects, but one has particular significance for local history buffs.

Continue reading “Digging into College Station’s past at Carter Park”

City Secretary, Historic Preservation

CS’s oral history project preserves veterans’ stories

You probably know the City of College Station has a lot of its history preserved in the form of documents, maps and photos. But it may surprise you that we’ve also preserved our history by recording the stories of the people who lived it.

The city’s online historic database, Project HOLD, has a large collection of stories gathered through interviews with people who remember the city’s early days. The oral history collection focuses on the stories of our community’s veterans.

Continue reading “CS’s oral history project preserves veterans’ stories”

Historic Preservation, Public Communications

History Blog: Masonic Lodge Hall, Rudder Center Dedications

NOTE: 2013 marks the City of College Station’s 75th year as an incorporated city. In recognition, we’ve highlighted some interesting moments from our past.

This blog was authored by Henry Mayo, a surveyor and long-time resident of the Bryan-College Station area. As a surveyor and historian, Henry retrieves information from local, state and national resources to assemble history-themed messages for email subscribers in a series titled “This Week in Brazos County History.” To subscribe to Henry’s email series, click here.

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NEW MASONIC LODGE HALL DEDICATED (Nov. 21, 1952)

The item on the left from The Eagle on Nov. 20, 1952 tells of the planned open house and dedication ceremony to take place the following days for the new Masonic Lodge Hall.

The photos on the right were taken a few months ago, when I noticed the Masonic cornerstone of the building on North Texas Avenue at 18th Street. The cornerstone is carved “Laid October 20, 1952,” but apparently things didn’t go on schedule and the ceremony was delayed one month.

Continue reading “History Blog: Masonic Lodge Hall, Rudder Center Dedications”