On Thursday afternoon, February 24, 1927 at the annual meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously passed a motion that began the “Great Move” two and a half years later. According to the minutes of the meeting, the board had been conducting routine business until this statement:
Moved by Otto Foster, seconded by T. A. Russell, that it is the sense of this Board of Trustees that the local board offer the property upon which the present buildings are erected for sale during a term of thirty days, the price to be $250,000.00.
Carried unanimously.
The minutes do not record what discussion the board had about this issue. The next item in the minutes is a motion to advertise for bids on a new administration building for the original campus. Apparently, the board immediately resumed normal business.
Why Move?
The original campus, less than a city block purchased in 1906, was a little more than four acres. Over the years, the remaining portions of the block were bought, bringing the campus up nearly seven and one-half acres. This block was bounded by:
By 1927 the block was surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Texas and Pacific Railway on the south, leaving no room for expansion. In 1920 the school had purchased 30 acres of land for campus expansion on the south side of the railroad tracks and a block west from the campus. It just wasn't feasible to have a campus split by busy railroad tracks, however, and in 1923, in order to settle debts and build a new residence hall, the board platted the land into the “Christian College Subdivision” and |
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This aerial view of the original campus was taken from the southwest circa 1928. North 1st Street runs along the bottom of the photograph; Graham Street is on the left; Victoria Street is on the right; and North 2nd Street runs across the middle of the photograph. Photo courtesy of Creative Services.
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sold the lots. They retained one city block of that land, which contained the president's house, Shady Dell. |
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With 14 buildings and 516 students in 1926-27, the campus was crowded. Despite those cramped quarters, the board of trustees and administration began a campaign for a new $150,000 administration building.
Another problem with the current campus was the Texas and Pacific Railroad passenger and freight trains. When one came through, classes virtually came to a stop because of the noise, especially when the weather was warm and the windows of the classrooms were open. In 1929 eight passenger trains and several freight trains were scheduled through Abilene daily.
No Sale
There were no buyers for the campus during the thirty days, or for several years afterwards. However, the board continued looking for a new campus.
The 1927 Board of Trustees
The board members who attended the February 24, 1927 meeting are in bold.
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J.S. Arledge, Abilene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President |
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W.H. Arnold, Winters |
G.C. Helvey, Abilene |
J.B. McGinty, Terrell |
The members of the 1927 Board of Trustees are pictured here in front of Shady Dell. Front Row: Fisher, Free, Batsel Baxter (president), Hays, Dabney, McKay, Cooner, Martin. Second Row: Watson, F.B. Shepherd (Board of Trustees fiscal sgent), Travis, Reese, Arledge, Foster. Third Row: Crawford, Harvey, Kenley, Wade, McKinzie, Helvey. Back Row: Russell, Lee, Birchfield, McGinty. Photo courtesy of the Prickly Pear.