100 Year Tour of the Building of Aggieland

Thanks to the latest computerized technology, the past 100 years or so of the development of Aggieland can now be viewed online. Labeled with color-coded markers, the digital map, called “Mapping Historic Aggieland” provides a bird’s eye view of the campus as it is being built.

Beginning with the earliest map dating back to 1919—a map of cattle pastures and cropland—the exhibit continues with building markers up to present day. The exhibit also includes a few aerial photos sporadically taken throughout the past century. It was all made possible by the creative use of maps, aerial photos, and historic building photos by the staff of the Map & GIS Library and Cushing Memorial Library and Archives.

If the fascinating history of Texas A&M University intrigues you, Texas A&M University Press has quite a few books that will peak your interest:

1.      Learn about one of Texas A&M’s leading tacklers, the history of the “Wrecking Crew,” and about the first Vietnamese American football player in the NFL in Dat: Tackling Life and the NFL by Dat Nguyen and Rusty Burson.

2.      Read about the one and only transformation of Texas A&M from a land-grant college for men only to its prominence today as housing close to 50,000 students, as well as the traditions that make the Aggie spirit in The Pride of Aggieland: Spirit and Football at a Place Like No Other by Homer Jacobs.


3.      In Building Leaders, Living Traditions: The Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M University by Amy L. Bacon, the important functions and development of the MSC are further explored, included with many attractive illustrations.

4.      Read about the Corps of Cadets, who inspire some of A&M’s deepest traditions and contribute to its rich heritage, in Keepers of the Spirit: The Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M University, 1876-2001.

5.      Delve into the unique history of Texas Aggie recipients of the Medal of Honor in Texas Aggie Medals of Honor: Seven Heroes of World War II by James R. Woodall. Woodall, a 1950 graduate of Texas A&M and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, searched archives, family collections, and other sources to compile the complete stories of the seven courageous Aggie men of World War II.

To read more about the making of the digital exhibit, click the TAMU Times article here.

--Madeline Loving