STEPHENVILLE — It was a perfect day. A day to commemorate 100 years of Tarleton State University’s iconic Trogdon House (the President’s House).
They came from near and far. Past residents. Students and alumni. Elected officials and preservationists. Even the grandchildren of Dean J. Thomas Davis, who built the home in 1923. It cost the school $8,000.
They gathered Saturday, Oct. 7, on the front lawn to hear stories of campus traditions and family gatherings, of children laughing and business being conducted. Stories of how farsighted student leaders, devoted alumni and the Erath County Historical Society secured the home’s future. Stories of fundraising and renovation.
Carolyn Davis Kennedy shared her grandfather’s dream for educational opportunity, a beautiful university campus and a residence where his family and future leaders’ families would live, right among students.
“I believe that Grandfather achieved his dream,” she said.
Local laborers and students earning 25-62.5 cents an hour crafted the Mediterranean-inspired edifice, situated between the O.A. Grant Building, the E.J. Howell Education Building and the Dick Smith Library, using massive slabs of local fieldstone. Originally a four-square that Dean Davis designed at his kitchen table, the house grew over the years to include a screened porch, breezeway and garages.
When Dean Davis stepped down in 1945, he built an exact replica of Trogdon on West Jones Street in Stephenville.
Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee called the Trogdon House a spiritual place, quoting legendary alumnus Col. Will Tate (Class of 1935), who joined Ben Baty (Class of 1950) to lead fundraising efforts for the structure’s renovation in 2010.
“It links the past of Tarleton with its future,” Col. Tate said then. Today, Judge Huckabee says
the Trogdon House reminds students that they have a home and a family while they’re at Tarleton.
Tarleton State President James Hurley said the house reflects a certain “timeless vitality” — the perfect setting to raise a family and also to invite Tarleton Texans over for Sundaes on Sundays to launch the fall semester, and for Late Night Study Breaks during finals.
Dinners for graduating seniors, a Family Weekend breakfast, the Christmas tree lighting and a holiday reception for faculty and staff are just a few of the events the Hurleys host.
Stephenville Mayor Doug Svien issued a proclamation encouraging the community to celebrate Trogdon’s milestone. More events are planned throughout the fall.
State Rep. Shelby Slawson, District 59, was in Austin for the third special session of the Texas Legislature but issued a resolution recognizing the home’s centennial. Dr. Terry Colley shared a letter from Mark Wolfe, Chief Deputy Executive Director/Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for the Texas Historical Commission, and John Nau, Chairman of the agency’s Board of Directors.
“It is meaningful for our commissioners, staff and Texas historic preservationists that the university chose to save this building years ago when demolition was proposed as part of a campus plan,” Dr. Colley read. “The extended Tarleton State family can be rightfully proud of preserving its heritage for future generations.”
Recognized with a state historical marker in 1989, the Trogdon House is registered as both a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and a State Archeological Landmark.
Dr. Colley served as Deputy Executive Director/Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer for the Texas Historical Commission from 1999 to 2014.
Discover more about Tarleton State’s Trogdon House here.
Watch a video of the event.
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