Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Rusk Building
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, April 24, 2023
1. Rusk Building Marker
Inscription.
Rusk Building. . Built on the homestead lands of warrior statesman Thomas Jefferson Rusk, Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College (SFA) was swollen with success shortly after taking over its new facilities, the Austin Building and Aikman Gymnasium, in 1924. The board of regents had approved the erection of the Rusk building in their original plan, but cost-cutting measures in the State Legislature led to a delay in its construction until 1926. Designed by architect W. E. Ketchum, it was built by F. A. Mote, the same contractor who had completed the Austin Building in 1924. , An excellent example of a classical revival public building, the Rusk Building features a fifteen-bay primary facade, a grand staircase, pedimented three-bay entry, Doric columns and cast stone details. An important academic facility for a variety of SFA programs, it initially housed the college library, departments of education and business, and the demonstration school for teacher training. In later years it was home to the departments of applied arts and sciences, communications, continuing education, social work and criminal justice, as well as administrative offices of the registrar, admissions staff and student services. The Texas Folklore Society and university printing services have occupied the basement. An extensive renovation project in 1987 returned the Rusk Building to its original grandeur. The structure retains a high degree of architectural integrity and remains a central facility on the Stephen F. Austin State University Campus.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1998 .
Built on the homestead lands of warrior statesman Thomas Jefferson Rusk, Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College (SFA) was swollen with success shortly after taking over its new facilities, the Austin Building and Aikman Gymnasium, in 1924. The board of regents had approved the erection of the Rusk building in their original plan, but cost-cutting measures in the State Legislature led to a delay in its construction until 1926. Designed by architect W. E. Ketchum, it was built by F. A. Mote, the same contractor who had completed the Austin Building in 1924.
An excellent example of a classical revival public building, the Rusk Building features a fifteen-bay primary facade, a grand staircase, pedimented three-bay entry, Doric columns and cast stone details. An important academic facility for a variety of SFA programs, it initially housed the college library, departments of education and business, and the demonstration school for teacher training. In later years it was home to the departments of applied arts and sciences, communications, continuing education, social work and criminal justice, as well as administrative offices of the registrar, admissions staff and student services. The Texas Folklore Society and university printing services have occupied the basement. An extensive renovation project in 1987 returned the Rusk
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Building to its original grandeur. The structure retains a high degree of architectural integrity and remains a central facility on the Stephen F. Austin State University Campus.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1998
Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12106.)
Location. 31° 37.276′ N, 94° 38.954′ W. Marker is in Nacogdoches, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. The marker is in front of the Rusk Building on the Stephen F. Austin State University Campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1936 North St, Nacogdoches TX 75965, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.