Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Organized as Abilene Baptist College by cattlemen, preachers, and Sweetwater Baptist Association in 1891. Named for New York pastor, James B. Simmons, after he donated funds for completing the first building, which housed the president, classes, and women students during school's early years. Men lived in nearby barn-like structure, "Valhalla." Noted early presidents were the missionary-editor, O. C. Pope, Oscar Henry Cooper, renowned educator; and Jefferson Davis Sandefer, in whose term (1909-1940) the school made extensive growth. Approximately 44,000 students have been enrolled, and 10,000 degrees conferred. Ex-students enter business and the professions, including medicine, law, teaching, engineering; ministers and lay workers serve in hundreds of pulpits and on all continents. Students come from many states and foreign countries. Athletic teams are "Cowboys"; the "Cowboy" band, famous nationally, has played in 45 states and on 3 continents. Renamed Simmons University, 1925; and Hardin-Simmons in 1934, after generous benefactions by John G. and Mary Hardin. Since 1940, guided by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Most of extant buildings have been constructed since 1945. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1891 as Abilene Baptist College by a coalition of cattlemen, preachers, and the Sweetwater Baptist Association, the school was soon renamed for New York pastor James B. Simmons, whose gift finished its first building. In the early years that single structure housed the president, classes, and the women students, while the men bunked in a barn-like hall nicknamed "Valhalla." Under long-serving president Jefferson Davis Sandefer the college grew dramatically, and gifts from John G. and Mary Hardin brought its lasting name, Hardin-Simmons, in 1934.
Why it matters
The university reflects how frontier churches and ranchers invested in higher education to civilize and anchor West Texas, building institutions meant to outlast the cattle boom that funded them.
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Related people
- · James B. Simmons
- · Jefferson Davis Sandefer
- · John G. Hardin
- · Mary Hardin
Themes & tags
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