Southwestern University

The Handbook of Texas says Southwestern's early identity rested on five young faculty members who arrived between 1875 and 1881, including Claude C. Cody, John H. McLean and Robert S. Hyer, and formed a unifying core. Under Hyer, a physicist, the school's emphasis on Christian values converged with scientific empiricism and professionalism. Three of the first five Rhodes Scholars from Texas were its graduates. After Southern Methodist University was founded in 1911, Southwestern redefined itself as a small liberal arts university, and a Navy V-12 program briefly doubled enrollment in World War II.

What the plaque says

Southwestern University Mother of all Texas colleges and universities. Absorbed charters of Rutersville College, Fayette County (1840), and Wesleyan Male and Female College, San Augustine (1844), chartered by the Republic of Texas; McKenzie College, Clarksville (1848), and Soule University, Chappell Hill (1856). Georgetown citizens offered land, money and moral support when about 1870 it seemed wise to supplant the several pioneer Methodist institutions with a single church-related university. The community's work with church leaders resulted in location of "Texas University" here. A distinguished and devoted educator, Dr. Francis Asbury Mood (1830-1884), was the founding regent (or administrator). The Georgetown College plant (7 blocks W) was donated by the city. Classes began Oct. 6, 1873. Upon ceding the name "Texas University" to the state, Southwestern University was chartered on Feb. 6, 1875, and specifically granted all rights and privileges given earlier to Rutersville, Wesleyan, and McKenzie colleges, and Soule University. Women students were first admitted in 1878. The "Ladies Annex" was opened (1889) on present campus. This became permanent site of Southwestern University with construction of present Main Building, 1898-1900. (1973)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Williamson County Courthouse — 0.8 mi
  The fifth Williamson County courthouse, a Beaux Arts building by C. H. Page, rises over a Georgetown square of more than 50 Victorian-era buildings.
• Inner Space Cavern — 2.2 mi
  A Georgetown cave found in 1963 when highway engineers drilled test holes, holding Pleistocene fossils and 72-degree rooms that visitors reach by an artificial tunnel.
• The Round Rock — 8.4 mi
  A table-shaped stone in Brushy Creek gave Round Rock its name in 1854; the Chisholm Trail crossed the creek near it, and Old Town stayed behind when the railroad pulled the town east.
• Mount Bonnell — 23 mi
  Austin's old lookout over the Colorado, named by an 1838 traveler, picnicked on by George and Libbie Custer, and reached by a 1939 flight of about 100 limestone steps.

More markers nearby

• Evangelical Free Church — steps away
• Judge Harry N. Graves — 0.2 mi
• Iota Chapter, Kappa Sigma Fraternity — 0.2 mi
• Xi Chapter, Kappa Alpha Order — 0.2 mi