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!
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!
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