Saint Edward's University Main Building
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Erected in 1888, rebuilt after fire in 1903. Nicholas J. Clayton, Master Architect, designed both buildings in Gothic Revival style. Serves institution founded in 1873 by Congregation of Holy Cross, as male Catholic school. First pupils were local farm boys. In 1921 college-level courses were added. Was rechartered in 1925 as a University. During World War II, served as an academy and flying school. Admitted women in 1966. Recorded Texas Historic landmark – 1972
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Saint Edward's University grew from a Catholic school founded in 1873 by the Congregation of Holy Cross for local farm boys. Master architect Nicholas J. Clayton designed this Gothic Revival Main Building in 1888 and rebuilt it after an 1903 fire. The school became a university in 1925, trained flyers as an academy during World War II, and admitted women in 1966.
Why it matters
The building charts the maturing of Catholic higher education in Texas from a frontier boys' school into a modern coeducational university.
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Related people
- · Nicholas J. Clayton
Themes & tags
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