SHSU Botanical Research- Old Main (Biennial Garden) & Tripod. SELF-GUIDED TOUR #4

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #4
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between .05 & 1.0 Mile

If you are using the Self-Guided Tour Map you will be rounding the corner and seeing Austin Hall up top of the hill.

 

 The Walking Trail in this direction will have you passing Old Main and Austin Hall.  You will be reaching Mile Marker 1.0 around the corner. 



Tripod's Headstone under a shade tree
on "College Hill"

He lived a good long life, 21 years according to his headstone

 

If you are wondering, who was Tripod?  He was the unofficial Mascot of SHSU "The Three-Legged Don Juan of College Hill."

 

According to the Newton Gresham Library podcasts, Episode 28:Jan, 3, 2008, "Tripod, as he was named by the students, loved a parade and football game.  He managed to be on the scene of all major activities.  He ate at dorms or fraternity houses.  He slept in apartments and dorms.  He never lacked for food, affection, or medical care.  He made his annual visit to the veterinarian, carried by a friend.  He always managed to have a new collar when needed."

 

 



 

HISTORY OF OLD MAIN



 

The "Old Main Pit" as this area is known is well worth the effort to explore and see what's left after the fire of the old architecture.

 

TEXAS MOUNTAIN LAUREL OR MESCAL BEAN TREE

 

 

 

 

The springtime blooms of the Texas Mountain Laurel

smell like grape chewing gum.

 

According to Scott Dolezal, Manager of SHSU Grounds, this tree is 25+ years old.  The tree has grown so large it is beginning to split apart due to the weight of the branches.  He is hopeful it will survive.



 

 

HISTORY OF THE MESCAL BEAN

 

The red seeds are the Mescal Bean

 

 

 

The Bicentennial Garden was dedicated March 2, 1993.  The garden is now occupied with perennials such as native Lantana, and Pampas grass. Originally the newly patented Sam Houston Roses were planted there as part of the Bicentennial celebration.  Due to the fact there was too much shade in this particular section of the garden, the roses did not thrive and had to be removed.

As you leave the pit area these two native plants can be found growing inside the brick wall planters leaving Old Man and leading up the walkway to Austin Hall.



Texas Red Salvia (right side)



 

Turk's Cap (left side)
 

Before you venture too far, this fountain donated by the Sam Houston Players, is just around the corner from Old Main.

 

 

Until Next Time.

 



SHSU Botanical Study: What’s in a name? The Sam Houston Rose

 

If you happen to be strolling by or visiting the Sam Houston Museum Walker Education Center; take a closer look at the dozen plants that make up a 3-4' high hedge of 3" semi-double pale pink colored roses. Those roses are named, the Sam Houston Rose. 

Hedge at Walker Education Center

Closer View of "Sam Houston" rose

 

Being a curious rose lover that I am, I began an investigation into this species of heirloom rose. My first clue was that they were heirloom roses.  In this area of Texas, if you want to know something about heirloom roses, The Antique Rose Emporium located in Independence Texas right down the road from the Baptist church where Sam Houston was baptized, is a logical place to start.

I spoke with Mr. Mike Shoup, the owner of the Rose Emporium. He told me that the SHSU Bicentennial Committee contacted him in 1992, with the intentions of finding a rose variety to plant in the newly created Bicentennial garden located in the ruins of Old Main. 

Later, groundskeepers discovered the Bicentennial garden was too shady for the roses to thrive, therefore they had to be removed. 

Old Main Ruins

"Bicentennial Garden" location



Garden located next to large Mescal Tree

Shoup invited and welcomed, Dr. Barry Bequette and Mr. Frank Krystyniak to The Emporium. During that particular visit in the spring of 1992, they decided that a seedling of the "Katy Road Pink," also known as "Carefree Beauty" would donate the maternal genes known to produce profuse blooming in the fall as well as the spring, and the paternal genes from the "Mrs. Oakley Fisher" because of its' yellow orange colorations. 

This rose would be unique because of its blend of traits: the yellow coloration representing the Yellow Rose of Texas, and the orange coloration representing the orange colors of the University. The rose was so important it was patented by Sam Houston State University.

Until Next Time.

Blessings,