Sundown on the Square

Sundown on the Square A living celebration of all those who came before. Join us for a festival filled with local vendors, kid's carnival, Texas Wine, Live Music and a Street Dance!
(17)

About Sundown on the Square 2017
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

The long, colorful history of Tarleton State University spans more than one hundred years in the community of Stephenville, Texas, but the tiny, private college hit gold in 1917 when a few determined advocates managed to join forces with a large, state supported institution, Texas A&M University. Tarleton College was born through the vision

of its founder, John Tarleton, who wanted to leave his estate to fund a school for local students to learn more about agriculture and homemaking. The early years quickly brought funding challenges. Recognizing that something needed to change, Tarleton President James F. Cox started the project that led to the union he sought. He needed local area backers who could help make Tarleton attractive to Texas A&M as a branch institution. Among those answering his quest included Pearl Cage, a Stephenville philanthropist, and Edgar L. Marston, owner of Texas Pacific & Coal. They managed to pull together the funds to purchase 500 acres northeast of Stephenville to create a college farm. While some resistance to the merger came from A&M supporters, Dr. W. B. Bizzell, Texas A&M president, managed to quiet those critics with promises of correlation and integration between the two higher education institutions. On Feb. 20, 1917, Tarleton President Cox heralded in a new era when the Texas Legislature approved the bill that tied Texas A&M and Tarleton College together. A yearlong celebration of the centennial of this alliance commenced in 2017. Sundown on the Square is proud to be a part of this commemoration. JOHN TARLETON RANCH HOUSE

Born in Vermont and orphaned at an early age, John Tarleton made his way to Texas via Tennessee. Living frugally and saving his money, Tarleton bought land grants from veterans. After living a number of years in McLennan County, Tarleton picked up and moved to his ranch in northern Erath County in 1880 where he lived in a three room cabin until his death in 1895. Originally buried in the Patillo Cemetery, Tarletonís remains were moved to a memorial park in Stephenville in 1926. In 1991 John and David Laird donated the Tarleton Ranch House to the Stephenville Historical House Museum grounds. Once the three room complex was relocated, the rooms were restored by David Williams. Additional repairs and renovations are now needed to continue the preservation of this important historical structure. Sundown on the Square is sponsoring this project in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration for Tarleton State University. Join us as we Honor the Legacy and Legend of John Tarleton!

Address

187 W Washington Street
Stephenville, TX
76401

Telephone

+12549655313

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sundown on the Square posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Sundown on the Square:

Shortcuts

Share

Our Story

Join us for a festival filled with local vendors, kid's carnival, Texas Wine, Live Music and a Street Dance! About Sundown on the Square 2019

CHAPEL ON THE BOSQUE

​The Chapel on the Bosque was moved to the Stephenville Historical House Museum in 1976 as a community-wide bicentennial project. It was rededicated on July 4, 1976, at the museum. Originally the First Presbyterian Church, was located at Mason and Barton Streets in Stephenville. The Gothic-style church was built in 1899 with the cornerstone laid on December 10, 1899. The building was designed by W.J. Wilson, who oversaw the construction. Mr. Wilson had directed the construction of the original John Tarleton College building as well as many residences in Stephenville. Two of the carpenters who worked on the church were Hilliard B. Smith and Daniel Fielding Smith.

The opening church service was held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 10, 1900. The Rev. John William Evards presided over the church as the first pastor. His sermon was titled “The Grandeur of the House of the Lord,” from Isaiah 66:1-2. The original pews are still in use in the chapel. The original pulpit is located there, as well. In the pastor’s study is the bookcase donated by J. Collin George to the first public library in Stephenville. New stained-glass windows were installed several years ago. Repainting and re-roofing have been done in the last several years; however, no other major renovations have been made since the chapel was moved to the museum. There are several interior and exterior repairs that need to be made within the next two years.