College Station in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Bolton Hall
Photographed by Morgan Petermann, October 4, 2025
1. Bolton Hall Marker
Inscription.
Bolton Hall. . Built in 1912, Bolton Hall was originally the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building. It was designed to mirror Nagle Hall, and with Old Main (burned 1912) formed the heart of old A&M's academic quadrangle. Considered "fire proof" due to its steel and reinforced concrete construction, it was officially named in honor of President Frank C. Bolton, the "Grand Old Man of A&M," known affectionately as "Bear Tracks" Bolton. On November 24, 1921, William A. "Doc" Tolson '23 and Harry M. Saunders '22 produced the first live play-by-play broadcast of a football game in the nation (A&M vs. Texas) from wireless station 5XB located in Bolton Hall.
Built in 1912, Bolton Hall was originally the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building. It was designed to mirror Nagle Hall, and with Old Main (burned 1912) formed the heart of old A&M's academic quadrangle. Considered "fire proof" due to its steel and reinforced concrete construction, it was officially named in honor of President Frank C. Bolton, the "Grand Old Man of A&M," known affectionately as "Bear Tracks" Bolton. On November 24, 1921, William A. "Doc" Tolson '23 and Harry M. Saunders '22 produced the first live play-by-play broadcast of a football game in the nation (A&M vs. Texas) from wireless station 5XB located in Bolton Hall.
Erected 2001 by Texas A&M University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 30° 36.956′ N, 96° 20.491′ W. Marker is in College Station, Texas, in Brazos County. It is on Ross Street east of Houston St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 766 Military Walk, 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: Lawrence Sullivan Ross (within shouting distance of this marker); Academic Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Harvey Mitchell Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2025, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2025, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
