Dr. Grady Early, a retired professor from Texas State University, has a knack for research. His journey began with tracing his family history. This curiosity soon led him to explore the rich history of Texas State, where he spent many years teaching. He initially focused on the first 17 faculty members of the university, writing about them for the Daily Record. His work caught the attention of the San Marcos Rotary Club, which invited him to speak. However, he chose to broaden his scope to cover the university’s entire history, from its early educators to the legislation that formed what we now know as Texas State.
“When you think about educating children, it’s been happening in Texas for about 20,000 years,” Dr. Early said, referencing the arrival of the first humans. “If there are people, there are children, and those children need to learn. Starting a basic school is simple: all you need is a teacher and some kids.” He humorously warned against playing with snakes during his talk, eliciting laughter from the audience.
In the late 1800s, Texas faced a surge in population but a shortage of teachers. A government census revealed that nearly a quarter of the population over ten years old couldn’t read or write. “This alarmed the legislature,” he noted. In response, they established two agricultural colleges in Texas—one in Bryan that opened in 1876 and another at Prairie View for Black students in 1878. These became the state’s first publicly funded higher education institutions.
To tackle the teacher shortage, the legislature set up normal schools, akin to teacher training colleges. “In 1879, they founded two: Prairie View A&M and Sam Houston Normal in Huntsville,” Early explained. Given the growing demand, a third school, North Texas Normal, was created in 1880 to ensure equitable education across the state.
Further developments led to the creation of the University of Texas, and by 1899, San Marcos was designated for its own normal school, eventually becoming Southwest Texas Normal. “On October 10, 1899, we got our home, thanks to the mayor signing over 11 acres,” Early shared. This laid the foundation for the future of Texas State. The date 1901 marks when funding was finally allocated for a building, and in 1902, the cornerstone for what we now call Old Main was laid.
To celebrate the university’s history, TXST adopted 1899 as its founding year for their 125th anniversary. “I relate to that,” said Early. “In both cases, there’s a formal authorization leading to existence.” He humorously compared his birthday on March 2, 1931, to the birth of the university, adding that he turns 94 this year. He jokingly noted the challenge of getting Social Security to recognize his unique approach to age calculation.
Dr. Early’s exploration of Texas State’s history sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of education in Texas. Understanding this rich background helps us appreciate the importance of education and continual improvement in teaching methods. For more information about Texas State University’s history, visit this link: San Marcos Record.
