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STEPHENVILLE (October 12, 2015) — Tarleton State University’s historic East Rock Gates are ready to welcome home alumni upon the completion of a restoration project that brings the campus landmarks back to their original splendor.
As part of a multi-phase renovation to Military Drive, stretching from McIlhaney Street to the new Alumni Island and Trogdon House, the East Rock Gates have been carefully reconstructed stone by stone to provide the cherished campus landmarks with a new foundation and aligning the limestone structure with Tarleton Street following the widening of Military Drive. A masonry contractor specializing in restoration projects oversaw the gates’ disassembly and reconstruction.
One of three rock gates on Tarleton’s campus, the East Rock Gates are considered the most symbolic of these entrances and now feature new lighting atop their towers, similar to their original appearance when the gates were gifted by the class of 1925. The metal “birdcage” accents that have graced the top of the gates for decades will be removed as new electrical wiring and light fixtures take their place.
Renovation to the East Rock Gates included relocating the south gate as part of the widening of Military Drive, which includes new concrete with red brick inlays, to align with Tarleton Street as it leads toward downtown Stephenville. Foundation improvements aided in leveling the gates after years of slowly sinking into the ground, as well as the addition of a new sidewalk and brick inlay enhancements to provide an even more attractive entry point to the Tarleton campus.
The original limestone was cleaned and numbered accordingly to precisely place each stone in its original location in the gates during the renovation. The “TARLETON” tile lettering was carefully preserved as part of the project, as well as the original class of 1925 plaque.
The East Rock Gates, originally designed by manual arts director E.A. Funkhouser and financed by the Tarleton class of 1925, have undergone a series of modifications since their construction. Ten years later, the class of 1935 provided funds to add the metal part of this easily recognizable landmark.
Due to a minor emergency at the original Dining Hall in the 1960s, when fire engines were unable to fit through the gates, the entire east entrance was widened. The most recent renovation further widened the entrance, while carefully keeping the East Rock Gates as close to their original appearance as possible.
Following Tarleton’s 2015 homecoming celebration, the masonry contractor will begin work to the north portion of the East Rock Gates to restore their appearance as part of the Military Drive restoration project.
When completed, Tarleton students and alumni will continue to find the East Rock Gates an ideal meeting place and location for shooting graduation photos and creating lasting memories. And, for former students who return home, alumni can rest assured “The Gates Are Always Open.”
Tarleton, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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