Baylor University Adds Texas Historical Markers in Time for 100th Homecoming

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A ceremony dedicating eight Texas Historical Markers at Old Main, Burleson Hall, Carroll Science Building and the Burleson Quadrangle will begin Baylor University's centennial Homecoming celebration.

The dedication will take place outside Carroll Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 23.

The project was a collaboration between The Texas Collection and Dr. Michael Parrish, the Linden G. Bowers Professor of American History, with funding for the markers provided by D.M. Edwards, a member of Baylor Library Board of Advisors. Parrish and Dr. Tom Charlton, director of The Texas Collection, worked on the project.

"The Texas Collection is proud to be located on what arguably might be called the most historic part of the Baylor campus," Charlton said. "Our Carroll Library building was among the first four buildings erected in Waco after the university moved here from Independence in 1886.

"Our work in The Texas Collection often takes us into historic preservation challenges, but the work we are in about the four additional markers for the Quad is a good example of how academic pursuits of our students can contribute to both the beautification of the campus and celebrations of milestones of Baylor history," he said.

Parrish's graduate students from his public history seminar conducted the initial research for the plaques. Each student submitted a narrative and application for the plaques; those were submitted to Dr. Michelle Toon, chair of the McLennan County Historical Commission, to the Texas Historical Commission in Austin.

"This effort will add emphasis to Burleson Quadrangle as the heart of the campus and in many ways the heart of Baylor," Parrish said. "Nearly every Baylor student has walked through the Quadrangle at one time, and I hope that the historical markers will invite students, alumni and visitors to appreciate how many have gone before them and how they sacrificed enormously to ensure that Baylor would be successful."

For more information visit https://www.baylor.edu/lib/texas/

by Colton Wright, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805