Hometown Flavor - Texas Tech Landmarks

Lubbock, Texas is my hometown, the place I was born, the place my roots are firmly established. While admittedly, I hanker for a new adventure in a land far away (at least 5 or so hours anyway) Lubbock is a town with a friendly and gracious community, expansive horizons, and a history of it's own. Come hang out with me as I take you on a tour to soak up just a bit of my hometown flavor.

 One of two bell towers of  the Texas Tech University Education/Administration Building

In 1936 victory bells were given to Texas Tech as a class gift. The bells rang for the first time at the 1936 class's graduation. It is said that after the win over TCU, the following year, the bells rang through out the night. The bells kept Lubbock residents up all night. Thereafter, the bell ringing was limited to 30 minutes. Saddle Tramps ring the bells after Texas Tech victories and during special occasions. The Victory Bells - one large and one small, which combine to weigh 1,200 pounds - hang in the east tower of the Administration Building. 

Source: Texas Tech Traditions from A to Z
 

Will Rogers and Soapsuds

One of the most well known landmarks on campus is the statue of Will Rogers and his horse Soapsuds. This memorial was dedicated on February 16, 1950 by longtime friend of Rogers, Amon G. Carter. Carter believed Texas Tech was the perfect setting for the statue and that it would fit into the traditions and scenery of West Texas.

The statue stands at 9'11" tall and weighs 3,200 pounds; its estimated cost was $25,000. On the base of the statue, the inscription reads "Lovable Old Will Rogers on his favorite horse, 'Soapsuds,' riding into the Western sunset."

Today Texas Tech tradition and legends surrounds the statue. According to one legend, the plan to face Will Rogers so that he could be riding off into the sunset did not work out as it would cause Soapsuds' rear to be facing downtown. To solve this problem, the horse and Will was turned 23 degrees to the east so the horse's posterior was facing in the direction of Texas A&M, one of the school's rivals.

Scource: Will and Soapsuds

Glenna Goodacre: b.1939
Park Place : 1997 : Bronze
Human Sciences

Source: Texas Tech University System Public Art Brochure

LARRY KIRKLAND : b. 1950
Headwaters : 2002 : Granite
English/Philosophy Education Complex

The central fountain features two monumental,classically inspired hands holding letters of the alphabet. The letters remain a fragment of a word, a symbol for a sound,but together they symbolize the potential for communication and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Water pouring over the surface of the fountain reminds the viewer of the variety of sounds that letters create.

Source: Texas Tech University System Public Art Brochure

Olive Oil and Goat's Milk soap among the relics 4.5 ounce bar

All photos courtesy of : Bill L.