DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
- Jody Ferguson
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
One of the biggest and most historically important man-made landmarks of our hometown Austin is not some steel skyscraper or a massive giga-factory. It is the second oldest major landmark (after the state capitol), having been built in 1924, and it ranks probably second in historical importance after the capitol itself. I am talking about Texas Memorial Stadium where the University of Texas Longhorns play on the gridiron every fall. Over the years the stadium has expanded from its original capacity of 27,000 to over 105,000 today.
The stadium was dedicated in in 1924 (above) in memory of the more than 198,000 Texans (not just University of Texas alumni) who fought in World War I. 5,280 of these men died during their service. Further re-dedications in 1948 and 1977 recognized the sacrifices of Texans in subsequent wars. In 1996 the stadium added legendary coach Darrell K Royal’s name, and it is today referred to as DKR-Memorial Stadium. Fittingly, though not a Texas native, Royal was a WWII-era vet, serving in the Army Air Corps stateside between 1943-45. The large bronze wall (which now stands outside the north entrance to the stadium; photo below) and the individual plaques listing all those who served and died in World War I have always been the centerpieces of the stadium. Before renovations the bronze wall (listing the names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice) and statue (representing democracy) sat above the north end zone over the section that was colloquially called the “knothole.”
It was here as kids that we were afforded general admission for under $5 during the 1960s and 1970s. As a young boy I grew to idolize players such as Earl Campbell, James Street, Marty Akins, Doug English, Steve McMichael, Raymond Clayborn, ‘Ham’, ‘Lam’ and ‘Jam' Jones, as well as many others watching the games in the knothole. We were allowed to go onto the field after each game, where we could get autographs, and if we were really lucky, we could get a piece of the tear-away jerseys offensive backs used to wear. I still have a piece of Earl Campbell’s jersey.
As for the individual plaque markers for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, they grace the entryway to each seating section. These plaques state the soldier’s name, rank, and where they died. Many of these young men whose place of death is listed as a training camp in the United States more than likely died because of the Spanish influenza epidemic that killed an estimated 45,000 U.S. troops, almost as many that died in combat in France (53,000).
Incidentally, many of the young men trained here in Austin at Camp Mabry before going overseas, including a relative of ours who at the time lived in Pennsylvania, Earl Erastus Hartman. Today Camp Mabry still functions in the center of Austin as a training facility and headquarters of the Texas Guard. It sits alongside a busy freeway and what was once the Missouri-Pacific Railroad line. The photo below shows how it looked before WWII. Austin's largest natural landmark, Mt. Bonnell, is visible in the far distance in the left background.
This week my family and I will be attending the annual rivalry game between Texas and Texas A&M, and each time I pass one of the bronze markers, I will give a silent thought of thanks to those who served not for themselves, but for a greater good.
Texas Memorial Stadium in the 1950s.
Photos: The University of Texas