the buildings of sam houston state university

Building
Photographs

Intersection of Sam Houston Avenue and Bowers Boulevard

ID#

Map

Timeline

1934

Twin pillars donated

1935

Arch donated

c.1965

Signage changed to SHSC

c.1969

Signage changed to SHSU

2003

Pillars removed; signage updated

Namesake

None

The western entrance to campus originally consisted of two brick pillars that were gifts from the graduating class of 1934; the connecting arch and sign were a gift from the 1935 class. Over the years the sign changed with the naming of the university and the space between the partitions was filled in with a brick wall - but you could still stand behind the pillars and see where the road once was that led past the Greek Theater.

Campus signage was updated and upgraded during President James Gaertner's early years in office. Besides signs for buildings and parking, this corner received a facelift as well: the original pillars were removed, replaced with a 30-foot long brick and limestone sign. A second sign was installed on the adjacent (southern) corner of Bowers Boulevard; a third at the eastern edge of campus at the intersection of Bowers Boulevard and Sycamore Street.

The pillars and the arch as they once existed.

A small trapezoid-shaped sign to the left of the pillars looks to have the current name of the school; meaning, while the arch still says "Teachers", a star has replaced the word what with the renaming of Sam Houston State College.

At least, that's our guess.

The arch was eventually removed and a brick wall bridged the gap between the two - after which all the bricks were whitewashed.

One wonders where old signs disappear to and if one could retrieve them for somewhat oversized souvenirs.

Following the 2003 demolition of the pillars, identical signs were installed on both the north side of Bowers Boulevard as well as the south side. This southern sign has great views of the temporary post office and art complex buildings behind it.