The photographs in this collection were taken between 1918 and 1923. They were taken during the administration of Harry F. Estill, former student and professor, who was president from 1908-1937. The early Estill years marked a time of new development at Sam Houston Normal Institute (SHNI). Student activities flourished, with the founding of the Ex-Student’s Association and student groups such as the Glee Club, an orchestra, and the agriculturally focused Corn Club (Cashion 2004, 41, 45). Athletics also made its debut and quickly became a popular pastime.

During this time, administration was also undergoing an overhaul. Progressive governor Tom Campbell helped pass a series of bills to overhaul the state education system, reorganizing the academic programs to prioritize agriculture, manual arts, and domestic science (42-3).

Additionally, the state board of education set out to standardize the normal schools (also known as teacher training schools) in Texas in 1911, starting with the appointment of a State Normal School Board of Regents (43). This board standardized programs and practices, instructor salaries, and entrance requirements of teacher training institutions in Texas. They also added the sophomore year, a newly introduced second year for underclassmen), making normal schools four-year institutions.

In April of 1917, almost three years after World War I (WWI) had begun, America declared war on Germany (52). An estimated 800 current and former SHNI students fought in the war. During this time, Estill endorsed the creation of the Students’ Army Training Corps at SHNI. Much of the curriculum shifted to focus on war matters, with featured subjects such as efficient food products and conservation, military hygiene and sanitation, and practical surveying.

With the end of WW1 in November of 1918 marked a new age for students at SHNI. Access to technology that was limited before was war was now available in variety, and students enjoyed automobile rides, radio, and silent movies (55). With this, came a growing concern from parents and SHNI administration about the propriety of students. The 1919-1920 “Rules Governing Rooming and Boarding of Students” included the discouragement of dancing, with “promiscuous dancing” being prohibited, and instruction for female students for how to meet with male visitors in a respectable manner (57). If students didn’t follow the rules and maintain “good character,” they could be suspended or asked to leave the school (58). Particularly severe were expectations pertaining to female students, several of whom were suspended for the way they spoke or dressed.

Despite the war and the brief enrollment decline from military enlistment, the early 1900s was a time of growth for SHNI admissions. Estill’s first year of presidency began in 1908 with 549 students and 16 instructors (58). By 1923, halfway through his administration, enrollment had risen to 1,089 students, with 56 instructors.