Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Alton W. Birdwell
(1870-1954)
Birdwell served as principal in Tyler, superintendent of schools in Troup, and superintendent of Smith County schools. He became a professor of history at Southwest Texas State University (SWT) in 1910, and married fellow teacher Maude Margaret Shipe in 1914. He took courses in normal school administration at Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was acclaimed for his work in education theory. He earned a master's degree from Peabody in 1916 and returned to SWT as dean of the faculty.
Birdwell was appointed president of the newly-created Stephen F. Austin State Normal School in 1917. Because World War I delayed the opening of the school, he remained at SWT, serving the war effort in various defense groups. In August 1922, Birdwell and his family arrived in Nacogdoches. Delays in construction of the Austin building forced him to postpone the opening of the college in 1923; he nevertheless opened the institution in borrowed facilities. Birdwell selected the faculty, taught history, and worked with area schools to support the college. He was equally resourceful in expanding the school in the 1920s and in protecting the college from collapsing enrollment and legislative cuts during the Great Depression. After his retirement in 1942, Birdwell remained on the faculty and served as president emeritus until his death.
Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12097.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education.
Location. 31° 37.293′ N, 94° 38.956′ W. Marker is in Nacogdoches, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. The marker is between the Rusk and Austin buildings on the SFASU 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Paul Lewis Boynton (here, next to this marker); Pioneering Higher Education in East Texas (here, next to this marker); The University Tradition in Nacogdoches (a few steps from this marker); Rusk Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Jefferson Rusk (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Fuller Austin (within shouting distance of this marker); Austin Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Karle Wilson Baker (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nacogdoches.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.