Students gather at their college home.In 1980 the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor celebrated its 100th anniversary in Belton. The intervening years have seen the small school for girls chartered by the Republic of Texas in 1845, grow into one of the outstanding smaller institutions of higher learning in the United States.

A university with the first name "Mary," UMHB has one of the best men's athletic programs in its division.

In the beginning ... In her 1980 UMHB history, "Fourth From Her Portals," Dr. Eleanor James described the 10-acre site selected for the new college "one mile northwest of the new courthouse" as "a virtual wilderness of oak trees, elms, cedars, brush and vines that were almost impenetrable."

Though the building that was to house the college was not complete, Belton and the college combined forces and on April 21, 1886, held one of the celebrations of the laying of the cornerstone that was termed "a complete success."

At 8:30 in the morning, a special train from Temple arrived, bearing the Temple Fire Department and many citizens. They were met by the Belton Fire Department and the Belton Brass Band "and conducted to the opera house where refreshments were offered."

(Editor's note: The first opera house in Belton was on the second floor of a native limestone building at the corner of N. East Street and E. First Avenue, now a city parking lot.)

Reading on, in a direct quote from the April 25, 1886, edition of the Temple Times:

"The procession was formed at 10 o'clock and marched to the college building where the vast audience listened to hymn singing by the choir. Prayer was offered by Dr. J. H. Luther and Dr. Carroll of Waco delivered the oration. The day was clear and bright throughout and several thousand people gathered in the city to witness the ceremonies. . . .

"In the evening there was match game between Belton and Moffat.

"In the opera house that night a grand ball was given and as usual it was a most pleasant and successful affair."

Business "was suspended" and all Belton and the surrounding community attended the laying of the cornerstone by the masons.

Ruins of the Baylor Female College building at Independence.That one building was the entire college for 20 years. All dormitory rooms were taken the first year, giving rise to the many fine old homes that became "rooming houses" and "light housekeeping" apartments for college girls, and many families augmented their income by renting a room to a Baylor girl, or two.

All writers talked about the "black waxy mud, and gum boots were high on the recommended clothing list. Dr. J.M. Carroll wrote "authorities" that "something must be done about the stray cows grazing on the campus."

Another petition was to the City of Belton to require all residents to build wooden sidewalks in front of their houses because of the muddy trails beside the roads. There were no cement sidewalks.

The UMHB 1995 Sesquicentennial Edition sheds early light on today's UMHB.

"The infant Republic of Texas did not have much time or energy to offer to the cause of Education. Religious denominations did not fare much better. The period between 1845-1865 was a time of struggle-the acute danger of Indian attacks in many places, the ever possibility that Mexico would try to reclaim its lost territory, or the young Republic of Texas would succumb to bankruptcy or internal strife. Nevertheless, the citizens of Texas had come too far and achieved too much to fail to establish Texas as a cultural, educated and Christian member of the family of nations."

Economic changes in the business life of Washington on the Brazos and Independence determined that the college must relocate. Selecting a site for the new school - "Only four offers were made, all offering land, cattle and labor and very little cash."

Dr. James wrote "Most Belton citizens excitedly awaited the outcome of the offer for the college. Belton was the highest bidder, $3,100 and 10 acres of land. This was by subscription and public donations.

The Oldest College for Women West of the Mississippi, (Baylor College for Women) Dr. J.C. Hardy, president from 1912 to 1938, had a slogan: "Educate a boy, you educate a boy. Educate a girl and you educate a family."

Judge/the Rev. R.E.B. Baylor and the Rev. William Tryon were the leaders in founding the college. Baylor thought it should bear the name Tryon. Tryon thought it should be Baylor. Kenneth Anderson, vice president of the Republic of Texas, cast the deciding vote - Baylor.

Dr. Anson Jones, last president of the Republic of Texas, signed the charter for "Baylor."

Other writings record that in the 1870, young settlers up near Brookhaven wanted to get married. He and his bride "went down to Cedar Creek where a man named Tryon was holding his annual three-week brush arbor revival and got married."