Site of Old Goodnight College
Goodnight, Armstrong County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(1898-1917) Founded by first permanent Texas Panhandle ranchers, Col. and Mrs. Charles Goodnight. With 20 students, classes began in the Methodist church while donors' funds were being used to erect 3-story administration building, two dormitories, and dining hall. Enrolment grew to 200; school had good athletic program. College in 1905 became a Baptist-supported academy; a junior college, 1913. Presidents were: Dr. Marshall McIlhaney, C. H. Webb, the Rev. J. P. Reynolds, Dr. D. T. Sutherland, the Rev. A. H. Thornton, E. B. Moore, and R. B. Morgan. In World War I era the useful pioneer school closed. (1971)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1898 by pioneering Panhandle ranchers Colonel Charles Goodnight and his wife, this college began with twenty students meeting in the Methodist church while donated funds went up as a three-story administration building, dormitories, and a dining hall. Enrollment reached 200, and the school fielded a strong athletic program before shifting to a Baptist academy in 1905 and a junior college by 1913. It closed during the World War I era after nearly two decades of service.
Why it matters
That one of the West's most legendary cattlemen invested his fortune in a frontier college shows how deeply early settlers prized education as the foundation of lasting community.
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Related people
- · Charles Goodnight
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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