State Historical Marker Dedicated

On Friday, October 24, St. Mark's opened Homecoming Weekend with the dedication and unveiling of an official Texas State Historical Marker. U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions, City Councilmen Mitchell Rasansky and John Loza ’81, and St. Mark's Board President Leonard Riggs joined the Executive Director of the Texas Historical commission, Larry Oaks, and the Chair of the Dallas County Historical Commission, Buddy Frazer, for the ceremony. Headmaster Arnie Holtberg made brief remarks about the historical significance of the Marker and how important the citation from the State of Texas is to the school, as did St. Mark's Board President Dr. Leonard M. Riggs, Jr.

The effort to pursue a Texas State Historical Marker was initiated and led by a St. Mark's graduate from the Class of 1965, Peter Maxson. Peter is an architectural historian who lives in Austin, Texas, and has long been engaged in historical preservation and education. Peter and his brother, Jack Maxson (Class of 1958) not only helped initiate the Marker application process, but also provided funding for the Marker itself. St. Mark's School of Texas is grateful to both Peter and Jack for their enthusiastic support and involvement.

The success of this project is also due to the help of Bill Simon, a professional writer and historian, who was responsible for the research and writing of the Marker application several years ago. Thanks to the process Mr. Simon led, the complete history of The Terrill School, Texas Country Day School, the Cathedral School and the resulting St. Mark's of today is now underway. He has initiated a comprehensive research project in preparation for a Centennial publication in 2006 that will chronicle the first 100 years of St. Mark's.

Of course, none of this would be possible without The Texas Historical Commission and the Dallas County Historical Commission. We are truly grateful for their support, encouragement, and affirmation of St. Mark's School of Texas' place in Texas history. Special thanks to Larry Oaks, Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commision, and Buddy Frazer, Chair of the Dallas County Historical Commission for bringing St. Mark's history to life. We would also like to thank Diane Bumpas, State Historical Commissioner, for her guidance and stewardship.

There are two Markers on campus, one near the entrance to campus off Preston Road, and the second in the Main Quad adjacent to the entrance of Nearburg Hall. Each Marker bears the following inscription:

"St. Mark's School has its foundation in three 20th Century preparatory schools, each of which contributed to its high standards and national reputation for academic excellence. Founded in 1906 by educators Menter and Ada Terrill, the Terrill School opened in a Swiss Avenue home with 42 students. The Terrills were strict disciplinarians and demanded high levels of scholastic competence. The School attracted the sons of many of Dallas's prominent families. By the late 1920s, athletics had begun to replace academics as the primary focus, and in response, several Dallas families began the Texas Country Day School for Boys to provide a strong academic preparatory education for their sons.

When it opened with ten students and four faculty members in September, 1933, Texas Country Day School was located two miles north of the Dallas city limits. With the post-World War II economic boom, this area became an affluent suburban neighborhood, and many of its youth attended Texas Country Day School. Meanwhile, the Cathedral School for Boys opened under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas after the Terrill School closed in 1946. In 1949, negotiations to merge The Cathedral School and Texas Country Day School resulted in the formation of St. Mark's School of Texas, which held its first classes in September 1950 on the former Texas Country Day School campus. In the last half of the 20th Century, St. Mark's School solidified its place in Texas' educational history as a significant college preparatory institution through expanded facilities and exemplary faculty, which led to increased enrollment and solid financial support.(2002)"