Home / Education / Texas Tech's First Building Earns Historic Landmark Status
Texas Tech's First Building Earns Historic Landmark Status
17 Oct
Summary
- The Administration Building, Texas Tech's oldest structure, is now a Registered Texas Historic Landmark.
- Built between 1924 and 1925, it housed all original schools and administrative functions.
- Its facade mirrors a 1553 Spanish university design, representing historical architectural influence.
The Administration Building, Texas Tech University's inaugural and oldest structure, has officially received the honor of a Texas Historical Marker, becoming a Registered Texas Historic Landmark. This designation, the state's highest for historically and architecturally significant buildings, was celebrated recently. Construction of the building concluded in 1925, following the university's founding in 1923.
This landmark building initially served all four original academic schools: Agriculture, Engineering, Home Economics, and Liberal Arts, in addition to administrative offices and the campus library. The cornerstone ceremony, attended by then-Texas Gov. Pat Morris Neff, occurred on November 11, 1924. The building's architectural design, particularly its facade, was inspired by the 1553 redesign of Spain's Universidad De Alcalá De Henares.
Over the decades, the building has undergone expansions, with east and west wings added in the early 1950s. It has been the backdrop for numerous university traditions, including commencement ceremonies and the annual Carol of Lights celebration since 1959. The west tower features carillon music during this event, while the east tower's Victory Bells are rung after athletic triumphs.
