Huntsville in Walker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old Main Building

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 8, 2026

1. Old Main Building Marker

Inscription. First permanent structure built by state of Texas for teacher training--when Joseph Baldwin was president of Sam Houston Normal Institute, L. S. Ross was governor, and A. T. McKinney was chairman of the S.H.N.I. local board. Cornerstone was laid Sept. 23, 1889, with main address by The Hon. O. M. Roberts, Governor when S.H.N.I. was chartered in 1879. Also present was state school superintendent Oscar H. Cooper, a member of the first faculty. Completed in 1891, Main gave institute its first library, 8 large classrooms, a distinctive chapel. Architect: Alfred Mueller.

Erected 1970 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8461.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1849.

Location. 30° 42.962′ N, 95° 33.01′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Texas, in Walker County. It is on University Avenue near 17th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1741 University Avenue, Huntsville TX 77341, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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: Austin College Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Austin Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Peabody Library Building

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Presidents Tree (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roberts-Farris Log Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Law Office (Sam Houston) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Woodland, Home of Sam Houston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Margaret Moffette Lea Houston (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Regarding Old Main Building. Marker is near the corner of 17th Street and University Avenue on the Sam Houston State University campus, facing north. Old Main was destroyed by fire on February 12, 1982.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Old Main Buildng. (Submitted on May 31, 2008, by Buildingshsu of Austin, Texas.)

Photographed by Buildingshsu, March 10, 2007

2. Old Main Building Marker

Old Main Memorial marker and time capsule image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Buildingshsu, March 10, 2007

3. Old Main Memorial marker and time capsule

Old Main Building cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Buildingshsu, July 4, 2007

4. Old Main Building cornerstone

The cornerstone of the Main Building – located at the northeastern corner – was laid in September 1889.

Photographed by Buildingshsu, July 4, 2007

5. Old Main Building cornerstone

This cornerstone – located at the northwestern corner – commemorates the men who designed and helped construct the Main Building.

Photographed by Buildingshsu, July 4, 2007

6. Old Main Building Marker

A view to the east from the time capsule of the Old Main Memorial.

Photographed by Buildingshsu, July 4, 2007

7. Old Main Building Marker

A view to the west from the time capsule of the Old Main Memorial.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2008, by Buildingshsu of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,052 times since then and 111 times this year. Last updated on June 27, 2013, by Buildingshsu of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on March 8, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2008, by Buildingshsu of Austin, Texas. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 30, 2009, by Buildingshsu of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.