Birdwell Field, Aikman Gym and the Women's Recreation Center
Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas
Marker Inscription
When Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College was funded in 1921, the Texas legislature only authorized one building--the Austin Building, known as "Old Main". President Alton W. Birdwell recognized the importance for extra curricular venues for the college and the region, and immediately began planning to meet these needs. He arranged for the construction of the school's first athletic field in 1923, before the college even moved to its North Street campus. From 1923 until 1941, which was its last year of use, the only changes made to Birdwell Firld were the addition of bleachers in 1924. Memorial Stadium, dedicated to those who had died in World War II, replaced Birdwell Field in 1946. Thanks to a generous donation from local philanthropist Frank Aikman, a multi-purpose building was constructed and named in his honor. Aikman Gymnasium served the college not only as an arena for athletics, but also as an auditorium, a theater with seating capacity of 3,500, and as a setting for commencement exercises until they were moved to Shelton Gymnasium in 1953. A physical education building for women was requested as early as 1931, but was not constructed until 1935 with assistance from the Public Works Administration. While its primary purpose was as a setting for women's physical education, the Women's Recreation Center (WRC) replaced Aikman Gym as the location of college dances, and served as the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) post exchange during World War II. Both Aikman Gym and the WRC were demolished in 1975 to make room for new university facilities. (2008)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College was funded in 1921, the legislature paid for only one building—the Austin Building, or "Old Main." President Alton W. Birdwell, convinced the young college needed more, arranged its first athletic field in 1923, even before the campus moved to North Street. Over the following decades the college added Aikman Gymnasium, a 3,500-seat multipurpose hall given by philanthropist Frank Aikman, and a Women's Recreation Center built in 1935 with Public Works Administration help, which doubled as a WAAC post exchange during World War II. Memorial Stadium later replaced Birdwell Field, honoring the college's WWII dead.
Why it matters
These vanished venues chart the growth of a Texas teachers' college into a full university, and show how campus life, New Deal public works, and even wartime service all left their imprint on a single stretch of ground.
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Related people
- · Alton W. Birdwell
- · Frank Aikman
Related events
- · World War II
Themes & tags
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