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Jody Payne (left) posing with Devall Hick (2nd from left), Kenny Smith (right), and an unknown woman (2nd from right) on the stage of an unidentified venue

This law established the normal school in San Marcos, now Texas State University.

Materials include one complete and one incomplete draft of House Bill 696 of the 26th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature (1899). The summary of the proposed bill reads: "An act to provide for establishing, governing, and maintaining a State normal school at San Marcos as to be known as the 'Southwest Texas Normal School.'" A subsequent version of this text became SB260, the legislation that officially authorized the creation of the institution now known as Texas State University.

Select excerpts: 26th Legislature, 1899, text of S.B. No. 260, page 175: An Act to provide for ... normal school to be located at San Marcos; 27th Legislature, 1901, text of S.B. No. 142, pages 33-35: An Act to provide for the organization, control, management and active operation of the Southwest Texas State Normal School.

Excerpt. Pages 570-575 regard state teachers colleges.

Paper presented in the Conference Upon Problems of Educational Administration in Texas, Austin, TX.

Excerpt. Pages 701-705 regard state teachers colleges.

A group of laws compiled by C.E. Evans regarding the establishment and maintenance of the teachers colleges in the State of Texas.

John Matthew (J.M.) Cape II (1924-2013), grandson of early San Marcos settler John Matthew Cape, was born in his family home on the banks of the San Marcos River. He joined the family cotton business, working for 43 years as a cottonseed broker. Cape discusses growing up in San Marcos, his family’s business, the history of cotton in Texas including farms, mills, and gins, the current state of cotton oil production, and some of the changes he’s witnessed in the city and the surrounding areas.

Dr. Houston talks about growing up in Denton County, attending college at UNT and teaching in Big Spring, Texas. He discusses studying for his PhD at UT-Austin and being recruited by Deacon Wright to teach at SWTSTC in the 1930s. He describes campus, the English department and its staff, and his experiences as a professor, head of the English department, and Dean of Liberal and Fine Arts during his time at the university (1937-1970). He also relates stories about Dr. McCrocklin and the university's participation in the AAUP and other academic organizations.

Robert Barton describes his early life and education in the Buda and Kyle areas, specifically recalling how his cattle-driving family came to settle in Texas, attending Buda High School, and graduating from Southwest Texas State Teachers College after serving in the military during the Korean War. He discusses buying, running, and selling the Kyle News newspaper, as well as operating the Colloquium Bookstore. He speaks about the changes San Marcos and Texas politics have gone through over time, including his work with the Hays County Democratic Party. He shares his thoughts about LBJ and discusses his own run for the Texas Legislature.

Margaret Fields talks about her early life in New Braunfels and life during the Great Depression. She describes the university campus and the schooling she received at Texas State in the 1930s and 1940s. She mentions places like Old Main; people such as C.E. Evans, Mary Brogdon, Leland Derrick, and John Flowers; and her experiences living off-campus. She discusses the various teaching jobs she took in Comal County and Medina County as well as her work with the state vocational rehabilitation department in Austin and other companies in Houston. She outlines how it all led her to her current job at the Sophienburg Museum in New Braunfels.

Gus and Betty Dressen discuss their German family heritage and growing up near Uhland, Texas. Along with describing what it was like to grow up on a farm, the couple share the responsibilities that come with that kind of lifestyle, such as taking care of animals, growing corn and sugar cane, and other aspects including having a blacksmith shop. They also talk about how life back then is different from now, such as paved roads, cars, electricity, and going into town.

Margaret Carney reminisces about her life in Chilton and Waco during WWI and WWII. She reflects on her work in the USO as a hostess and director of the service club at North Camp Hood and South Camp Hood where she was paid to sing, dance, and play piano for the soldiers. Along with recalling certain popular songs, dances, and momentous events like V-E Day and V-J Day, she discusses the camps' soldiers and German POWs.

Lola Cheatham, a long-time San Marcos resident talks about the growth of San Marcos and what Texas State used to be like. She recalls growing up and attending school in Caldwell County, going to college at Texas College in Tyler, and working for SWTSU for sixteen years. She shares her experiences and duties during her employment at the University Staff Lounge in Flowers Hall. Ms. Cheatham discusses university figures such as Emmie Craddock, John Flowers, LBJ, and Dana Smith, the university's first enrolled African-American student.

Betty Dressen discusses growing up on a farm. She shares her memories of "going into town" to Lockhart with her dad once a month. She shares the responsibilities that come with that kind of lifestyle, such as curing meat, making cheese, canning, and other aspects including wells and growing her garden.

James Harrell talks about growing up in Waco, studying in Dallas, and working in the movie business. He relays information about how Texas has grown to better support actors and the film industry, and outlines present trends in professional acting. Along with recalling changes he has seen in the university, he also discusses the evolution of the drama department and the new Speech and Drama Building.