SHSU Botanical Study-Evans Complex (Tree of Lights) Part 1 of 2. Self-Guided Tour #2

SELF-GUIDED TOUR #2
FITNESS WALKING ROUTE -Between 1.0 & 1.5 Mile

I love discovering the rich history our campus.  One of my favorites is the story connected to the SHSU "Tree of Lights".

 

When entering The Evans Complex, did you ever wonder why the building seems to wrap around the huge Red Cedar Tree?  It is because our 1st campus Christmas tree is that very same tree. 

Building designed around the Red Cedar Tree



 

  According to the "Sam Houston Normal Institute" Newsletter, December 21, 1921, vol. 1 we had our first campus Christmas Tree celebration.

 



Tree of Lights
Photo 1930 Alcalde (SHSU yearbook)

At 5:30 p.m. the Training School, as Sam Houston State was known at the time, celebrated with the community.  The University invited local school children to make ornaments for this tree.  Then at the ceremony, where these same children and their families attended and performed carols, also exchanged gifts with the child whose name they had previously drawn from a box.

 

The tree stayed decorated and lighted each night.  The campus was following New York City's tradition for several years previously, and Houston's newly formed tradition that was just two years old.

 

Aerial View of Tree of Lights
1940


 

The article stated that Houston, "is not so fortunate as to have a growing tree, which may be used, but a large tree is placed on Main street and every night throughout the holidays is lighted." 

 

The Tree of Lights traditions and locations have changed over the many years since its' inception.  I will be addressing the progression of changes in the next blog.

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 

Red Cedar in Evans Complex-Botanical Study SHSU (Initial Discoveries)

Last week the weather could not have been nicer, lows in the 60's and highs only reaching the upper 80's because of a cold front that came through to welcome in the Fall season.  Love those cold fronts after our Hot, Hot Summers.

Happy to report my initial sketch is coming along nicely, but I have not finished rendering this really beautiful, and amazing tree, but wanted to check in with everyone. 

Stopping to closely examine the trunk and leaves of this large, old tree really was rewarding.  I do not know how many times during two semesters I hurriedly passed by this natural beauty trying to make my 8 o'clock English classes.   Sadly I never really stopped to discover how many interesting twist and turns the trunk make.

This is one of the many reasons I am excited about doing this project. My class days on Sam's campus, like other students and faculty mostly is filled with running from one class to another.  Therefore, I really do not get a full sense of the beauty that surrounds the campus.

Here are a few more pictures showing some of what I saw while sketching last week.

Red Cedar Tree- Wonderful Specimen

Tree Magnificently Towers above the Evans Complex

Just some of the many Knot Holes that wrap around the trunk

Hopefully, my project will inspire you to slow down a little more and enjoy the Art made naturally all around us.

Check in soon, as the next post will include pictures of my sketches of this important tree.  

Until Next Time.

Blessings,