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Lost
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Through the years buildings on the northeast side of the campus
became important centers of college life. Grand Avenue, the colleges eastern
boundary, was the location of many memorable addresses.
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 "just
cross the way . . . . The pungent aroma of coffee . . . . or is it coffee? . . . .
Matildas masking burgers. . . . Grunting in one corner. . . . Aston merely learning
his Dutch . . . . The steins hanging miserably on the mantle. . . . patiently await Texas
repealment. . . . will it ever be? . . . A Girls Council meeting? . . . No, only
Brooksy and his women. . . . Students. . . . Firecrackers. . . . Co-eds, bearing up nobly
under their burdens of countless admirers. . . . Queens of Kangarooland with drooping
lashes and innocent glances. . . . Music. . . . a rag-time tune from the old pianner. . .
. twisting, swaying. . . . Ah, the dance is the thing. . . . Barren floors. . . . crying
for paint. . . . Tables galore. . . . Chairs?. . . . No. . . . Jokes. . . . Bull sessions.
. . . Skys the limit. . . . Discussions of the national subject: women. . . .
somebodys meal ticket. . . . you gotta pay or no credit. . . . Potty Boon. . . .
Coffee hound. . . . Mama Smith surveys it all. . . .Wont somebody spend a dime ? . .
. She smiles, a cash customer. . . . The Dutch Treat. . . . Better still, the Cheat. . . .
Home of indigestion. . . . The place where nickels enter never to leave. . . . How can it
last?" -- The Chromascope 1934.
It lasted quite a while. Located at the
corner of Richards and Grand Avenue stands a small house designed in the 1920s by
"Pep" Clyce, son of Austin College president Thomas S. Clyce. Originally, the
cottage had a large windmill above its front entrance and was known as "The Dutch
Treat Tearoom and Bookstore," operated by Dr. Clyces daughter, Dorothy.
"The Dutch Treat" catered especially to students and faculty. In its present
incarnation known as the Carruth Guest House, it serves as a residence for visiting
professors.
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September, 1895. --"The A.T.O.s have a nice
building now almost completed and ready for occupancy. It is one of those built during
vacation. It has four lovely rooms below and a hall above, where they are soon to meet
regularly. Prof. Chandler is to occupy rooms in the building, and the goat being over the
professors head, many of the boys express a fear that it will greatly annoy
him." --The ReveilleBuilt in 1895, the frame house at the corner of Grand
and Richards Streets, known as 1023 N. Grand, was remodeled and enlarged in 1900 by Dr.
Clyce and his wife, May, who occupied it for four decades. The Clyces entertained many
dignitaries in their large house, including former U. S. President William Howard Taft.
After the death of Dr. Clyce in 1946, Mrs. Clyce remained in the house for a number of
years. It was eventually torn down, however, to make way for Settles House, the brick home
which currently occupies that location.
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The Lucas store, 1001 N. Grand, was located on
the northeast corner of Grand Avenue and Williams Street, on the lot where Detweiler House
now sits. For many years it provided necessities and snacks to Austin College students and
residents of College Park. |
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"The House"--my Bennett home for a year. That dear Mrs.
Bennett, from the Yankee state of Ohio, never gave me an unkind word. Once, however, when
I overslept from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 (milking time) and grabbed the tray of food for the
boys with my "milking khakis" on, she did tell me to take off the outside
suit!--Walter E. Long, Class of 1910.
Bennett House was located on the southeast corner of Grand Avenue
and Williams Street. |
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The latest street address, 923 N. Grand, was the site of the home
of Professor Robert Ritchie Harwell, Professor of Greek, and his wife, Ellen, college
librarian, a founder of the Campus Club, and a staunch supporter of women students after
co-education in the 1920s. |
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Summer, 1900 - I
assured myself that the time was auspicious for the organization of a church on the Hill. On
Sundays it was a long, dirty trek downtown to church, and students could not escape it as
they were required to attend church services. College Park Presbyterian Church was
organized on November 8, 1900, with Dr. Clyce as its first pastor. The white frame
sanctuary was finished in 1901. The building cost $8000, the furnishings more than $2000.
In 1914 the name was changed to Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church although the white frame
buildings continued to serve students and the East Sherman neighborhood for many years
before being replaced by the present brick structure |
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"The College Park Church
stood just across from the campus. Sunday School and Church attendance was required of all
students, either at this church or some other specified. Monitors kept a record of
attendance." --Walter E. Long, Class of 1910. |
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