Issue date: 6/27/07 Section: Aggielife

Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of Cushing Library Part of the collection of historical photos at Cushing Library, this was taken in 1878. It shows the Machine and Carpentry shops and the Old Main building, which burned down in 1912. [Click to enlarge]

There were no bars or restaurants - not even plumbing or electricity. There were two four-story buildings that barely had enough rooms for the 106 students. Some students even lived in cramped offices, and the nearest town was a four mile walk.

Texas A&M has drastically changed since its founding in 1876. Originally, A&M consisted of two buildings - Old Main and Gathright, a few wooden shacks and numerous wolves that inhabited the area. Though A&M has revolutionized in most aspects, the traditions and essence of the students have remained steadfast throughout the generations.

The history of A&M has been told many different ways, often incorrectly, said David Chapman, University archivist. He said that there are many versions of the truth concerning A&M's founding and that students should read books like "A Centennial History of Texas A&M University," by Henry Dethloff to learn more about A&M.

"Dethloff is imperative because of all the dates. It's really good for exact dates and names," Chapman said.

Before the first classes began, A&M overflowed with controversy. The presidency of A&M was first offered to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Southern Confederacy. Davis declined the offer because he was serving time in prison for committing rebellious acts during the Civil War.

"Gov. Coke, who was basically a racist, asked (Davis) to be president because back then A&M was a really proud southern (school) and the confederation was really strong in Texas," said Visitor's Center tour guide, Aubrey Bloom, a senior history major.



Davis recommended that Thomas Gathright be the first president of A&M. Though Gathright was popular with the students, his presidency proved to be a tumultuous beginning for the University. He could not select his own faculty.

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