College Station in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Texas A&M University

Photographed by Gary Estep, January 1, 2026

1. Texas A&M University Marker

Inscription. The State Legislature authorized the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas April 17, 1871, under terms of the Federal Morrill Act. Constitutionally a part of a chartered, yet-unorganized state university, A&M gained its own directorate in 1875 with Governor Richard Coke as Board President. Brazos Countians provided its 2,416-acre site. Committed to "teach...branches of learning...related to agriculture and mechanic arts...to promote liberal and practical education," A&M opened Oct. 4, 1876, as the first state institution of higher learning actually operating in Texas. Thomas S. Gathright was President. Its original six students in seven academic departments grew to 28,038 students in eleven academic colleges by 1976. Initially an all-male, all-white school, it was desegregated as to color in 1963 and made fully coeducational in 1971. The Legislature recognized its diversified programs and international leadership in education and research by awarding the new name, Texas A&M University, on Aug. 23, 1963. On Sept. 17, 1971, the U.S. Congress made this one of America's first four Sea Grant Colleges. National defense

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has drawn from Texas A&M thousands of ROTC men, including 29 general officers for World War II.

Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8699.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is October 4, 1876.

Location. 30° 37.35′ N, 96° 19.878′ W. Marker is in College Station, Texas, in Brazos County. It is at the intersection of New Main Drive and South Texas Avenue (Business State Highway 6), on the right when traveling west on New Main Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: College Station TX 77840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Williams Administration Building

Texas A&M University Marker Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, March 8, 2017

2. Texas A&M University Marker Location

(approx. 0.4 miles away); “A Piece of Aggie History” (approx. half a mile away); The Start of Something Big (approx. half a mile away); History Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); Francis Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chemistry Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); A. & M. College of Texas World War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); James Francis Hollingsworth (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in College Station.

Also see . . .
1. Texas A&M University. (Submitted on March 17, 2017.)
2. Texas A&M University - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on July 2, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Gregory Walker, March 8, 2017

3. Texas A&M University Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2017, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 744 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on July 2, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on January 1, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 17, 2017, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.