SHSU-Botanical Study Final Post-What's Next

I have thoroughly enjoyed this project, because the experience has definitely left me with more reasons to be a proud BearKat.  A rich heritage one should embrace.

Also, my research project has given me a platform, as an artist and lover of history, to showcase some of the many wonderful hidden treasures which make Sam Houston State University and Museum complex one of the best Centers for Higher Education.

As a student and I am like many of the faculty, we are  all busy running from place to place on campus, never taking  time to "smell the roses.". I hope I have given you a reason to slow down and appreciate our campus surroundings.

The bulk of my research is now complete, so I will be moving onto the next phase which includes: art exhibits, lectures, writing a book, and creating a scholarship fund. All parts in my plan, as a future Alumni, to leave a positive footprint where Sam Houston himself once tread.

Until Next Time.

SHSU Botanical Study-Art Complex

  SHSU Art Program and Art Department location has gone through many changes over the years.

Outdoor Pizza Oven used for Department special events

 This Blue Agave cactus plant was a transplant from one of the pups of a propagated cacti of Department Slide Librarian, Debra Harper.  She originally planted some of these cactus, in 2005, in a bed outside where she offices in the Lecture Hall, Building E.  Later the Grounds Crew wanted to create a Xeriscape bed outside the Art Department Office and 3G Gallery, and planted more in the front beds.

Student Art Association Billboard across from this site is this unusual site, a male and female (berry producing side) tree has intertwined their trunks.

Student 's art project hanging from an unusual Yaupon tree.  It appears that the male and female roots of two trees grew close together and this is the result. 

Another common plant found in Texas is growing around corner is a Lantana bush. Another common plant found in Texas which  attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its' colorful blooms beginning in the Spring through until a Fall freeze.

 

 

Art Found Surrounding the  Complex

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tree in the background is a Pecan. 

 In the 1980's the site was cleared. 

 

The Canterbury House once stood where Art Building D and the sitting area is currently located.  This particular house was built for Harry F. Estill as a retirement home, and remained in the family until 1979.  The last use of the home was as the Episcopal Student Center.

 

Behind Art Building B where Ceramic and Printmaking classes are held, and the SOFA Gallery is located an unusual plant can be found, a Hercules Club.  It is also known as a Toothache Tree or Tickle Tongue Tree because of the numbing sensation it leaves in the mouth.  It has medicinal properties to relieve the pain of teething.

 

 



 

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 



 

 

 





 





 



SHSU Botanical Research- ABIII & Farrington Bldg.(SELF-GUIDED TOUR #11 & #12)

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #11 & #12
FITNESS WALKING MAP -  1.5- 1.0 Mile

Once you top the hill and go around ABIII building you will run into the cannon known as Boomer.   There even is a special ROTC group called the Cannon Crew who fires one at special occasions.

Make note that across Bowers Blvd. is the Art Complex, which will be our last part of the Building and Botanical Research Tour.

Now keep walking to our last stop #12 on the Main Campus grounds to the Farrington Building.

If you go just past this sign and look on the left side of the sidewalk you will see these in ground plaques. 

 

 

Dr. Russell Palma who at the time was the Chair of the Physics department and Frank Cooper, had an idea sometime around 1992-93, to create and install stainless steel plaques that accurately represents our Solar System.  

First of the series of plaques

 



 

In the back of Austin Hall, near this statue of Sam Houston is where Pluto, the last of the plaques is located.


 

Time to back track a little, go back to where "Boomer" the cannon is located by ABIII building.  You will be crossing Bower Blvd. and going to the Art Complex located in the metal buildings sitting on the corner.

 

Until Next Time.

 

 

 



 

 

 

SHSU Botanical Research- CHSS Building and Garden with Water Wall (SELF-GUIDED TOUR #9 & #10)

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #9 & #10
FITNESS WALKING MAP -  1.5 Mile



CHSS BUILDING (Back of Building)

This next garden area is a little more hidden.  The Water Wall and gardens are located on the backside of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) building. 


 

According to Scott Dolezal, Grounds Manager, the Water Wall and garden was the vision of retired Dean DeCastro and

 

 

artist, Jesus Moroles.   Funding came from the unused building art budget and donations generated from these engraved granite bricks.

 

CHSS Water Wall and Garden with seating

 

Garden with  Engraved Granite Bricks



 



Also, located in this area is the Earth Day tree. 

This tree was planted, by the Staff Counsel, about a year or more before the Water Wall was under constructed. The tree is a Tulip Popular and the only one of that species presently on the campus.

Very unusual blooms

 

One last stop on the SELF-GUIDED TOUR map.  Head up the hill to #11 and #12.

 

Until Next Time.

 

SHSU Botanical Research- NGL and Education Center (Genevieve H. Brown Garden), Children Sculpture SELF-GUIDED TOUR #6 & #7

SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP #6 & #7
FITNESS WALKING MAP - Between 1.0 & 1.5 Mile


In between the Newton Gresham Library building and the Garrett Education Center next to the sidewalk leading to the faculty parking areas is this Reflecting Garden dedicated to a former Dean of Education.

 

Dean Genevieve Brown a beloved faculty member of SHSU, who had a long career, 48 years in Education with 28 years at Sam Houston before retiring.

Her reflective, butterfly garden was built with love.

Now coming back up the walkway and heading toward SELF-GUIDED TOUR #8 you will pass this bronze sculpture of children. 

According to the Heritage magazine, on April 1, 1989, this sculpture of a little boy pushing a young girl on a swing was presented as a "tribute to most student's favorite school period, recess and also to a former SHSU first lady", Frances Handley Bowers (1970-1989).  Bowers was a long time resident of Huntsville for over 50 years.  She was a drum major, and graduated from Sam Houston with a bachelor and two master degrees.

The CHSS building is the next stop between SELF-GUIDED TOUR #9 & #10.

Until Next Time.

SHSU Botanical Research- Peabody Memorial Library, Ghosts Stories & Camellia SELF-GUIDED TOUR #4



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

   

History of Peabody Memorial Library

 

Did you know that our SHSU Archivist, Barbara Klevit-Mason, who at one time officed in this building, has seen a ghost in the Library?

She speculates the woman's spirit may be one of the college's first Professors or Librarians who is wearing a dark outfit resembling fashions from the early 20th century.

                                                         More campus Ghost Stories

 

If you want a see for yourself,

The Library is open on designated days and hours

 Next is SELF-GUIDED TOUR #5, but first take note of the flowering bushes growing along side this building.

 

Wondering what this flower is? A Camellia

 

The most familiar of the camellias is Camellia japonica – often simply called ‘japonica’ – with varieties blooming from early winter through spring. C. japonica has been cultivated in the U.S. since about 1800, initially as tender greenhouse ornamental plants in the north.  It wasn’t until 1819 that C. japonica was introduced into southern U.S. landscapes through a nursery in Charleston.   Today, many large, old camellias grace old plantations and homesteads all across the south, and many fine specimens can be found around Tyler and East Texas



Lovely Camellias that grow along the side of the building

Keep walking down the sidewalk toward the Administration Building-SELF-GUIDED TOUR #5. 

 

Until Next Time.





SHSU Botanical Research- Austin Hall (Flowering Quince Tree & Bruce Fulenwider Hedge Marker) SELF-GUIDED TOUR #4



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

 

 

 

AUSTIN HALL

 

Flowering Quince Tree that may be from the original root stock of the plants growing by the Houston's Woodland home on the Museum complex grounds.

Back Door of Austin Hall







Did you know we at Sam Houston State University have the bragging rights to claim our heritage of this building being the First Law School in Texas. Yes, that is right, the school was established by The Board of Trustees of Austin College, March 1855.  Is someone doubts you, just point them to this plaque by the back door.

If you look just across from the doorway and down into the hedges you can spot this marker.

 

Bruce Fullenwider is now retired as the Grounds Manager at SHSU.  He hired current Grounds Manager, Scott Dolezal 17+ years ago.

 



 Another school tradition, students and lovers carving their initials into the brick wall.



This statue of Sam Houston was part of the Centennial celebration, 1879-1979

Also if you look down at the ground slightly in front of  Sam's statue, you will see another plaque.

It is the plaque representing Pluto.  This is the end of a scaled representation of our Solar System.  The beginning plaque, our Sun, is at SELF-GUIDED TOUR #12 located next to the sidewalk in front of the Farrington Building.

Now would be a good time to visit the Jewel Garden.  Go to the left of this statue.  If you go right; back down the sidewalk, this path will lead to the Peabody Memorial Library.

Until Next Time.

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.