Three Miles Northeast to Site of Seth Ward College

The Methodists of the Plainview District paid $32,000 for the school and reorganized it as a two-year coeducational college meant to prepare students for Southwestern University in Georgetown; the military atmosphere of Central Plains College was dropped. Its football, basketball and baseball teams played the new Wayland Baptist College across town. Enrollment averaged more than 200 from 1913 through 1915. The final fire came on March 16, 1916. The Northwest Texas Conference closed the school and in 1929 lent its remaining funds, interest free, to McMurry College in Abilene; reunions met in Plainview from 1932 to 1975.

What the plaque says

Three Miles Northeast to Site of Seth Ward College Original buildings erected in 1906-07. The school opened September 18, 1907, as Central Plains College and Conservatory of Music, with Dr. L.L. Gladney as president. The Nazarene Church maintained the college until 1910, when it was purchased by the Methodist Church. Dr. Gladney remained president until 1911. After becoming a Methodist school, the institution changed its name to Seth Ward College in honor of Texas' first native Methodist bishop. The Rev. C.N.N. Ferguson served as president of the first board of trustees, who elected the Rev. J. Sam Barcus president of the college. Enrollment at that time totaled about 300 students. On the 35-acre campus stood a four-story main building with 27 rooms and a large chapel. Two frame dormitories housed the students and teachers, and a small frame building accomodated the music classes. The school's motto, "Character First," expressed its intent to pursue a Christian educational program. Presidents who followed Barcus were Dr. W.M. Pearce, The Rev. C.L. McDonald, and M.B. Johnson. The latter served until 1916, when the main building and girls' dormitory burned (the boys' dormitory had burned in 1914) and the college was forced to close. (1970)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Discovery Site of the Plainview Point — 0.4 mi
• Plainview Cemetery and Memorial Park — 0.6 mi
• Dr. James Henry Wayland — 0.6 mi
• Edwin Lowden Lowe — 0.6 mi