Texas A&M Main Campus: Then and Now

A historical comparison of iconic Texas A&M main campus landmarks over 150 years.

Take a look back at the humble beginnings of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and see the iconic main campus landmarks that generations of Aggies know and love.

The Texas A&M campus with acadmeic building split in the middle, with the left side being of a historic time period and on the right side being of the present time period

Academic Building 1930s vs. 2026

This photograph, taken in the early 1930s, is of the Academic Building looking east from Old Main Drive. Law and Puryear Halls can be seen on the left in the foreground. To the right of the Academic Building, there are Foster Hall, Hart Hall and Goodwin Hall.

 a recent aerial photo of the front of the academic building  a historic aerial photo of the front of the academic building

Academic Plaza circa 1916 vs. 2026

This photograph is of what would now be the Academic Plaza, taken circa 1916. From left to right, the buildings are Bagley Hall (Textile Building), Academic Building, Science Hall, Pfueffer Hall, Nagle Hall and Foster Hall.

 a recent aerial photo of an angle of the academic building with a flag  a historic aerial photo of an angle of the academic building with a flag

West Gate early 1920s vs. 2026

This photograph of West Gate is the view that Texas A&M students would see as they walked to campus from the train depot. The Academic Building is directly ahead. This photo was taken in the early 1920s.

 a recent photo of the front pathway of the academic building  a historic photo of the front pathway of the academic building which shows a gate reading 'Texas Aggies Southwestern Champions. International Stock-Judging Champions'

Corps of Cadets Arches circa 1976 vs. 2026

This photograph is of the arches located at the entrance of the Corps of Cadets Quad. The arches were built to coincide with Texas A&M's Centennial Celebration. President Jack K. Williams is seen here speaking in 1976.

 a recent photo of the arches of the corps of cadets  a historic photo of the arches of the corps of cadets with a crowd gathered

Campus Aerial from Old Main Drive circa 1923 vs. 2026

This photograph was taken circa 1923, facing east from what is now Old Main Drive. The Hollywood Shacks, which were occupied as temporary student housing from 1923 to 1932, are seen to the left of Simpson Drill Field.

 a recent aerial photo of the entrance to Texas A&M  a historic aerial photo of the entrance to Texas A&M

J.K. Williams Building 1932 vs. 2026

This photograph is of the Williams Administration Building, then called simply the administration building, taken shortly after it was completed in 1932. To the left, the museum (former Serum Laboratory) can be seen. The museum was originally built in 1917 as a serum laboratory and became a museum in 1937. It was razed in 1972 to make room for the Langford Architecture Center.

 a recent photo of the back of the J.K. Williams Building  a historic photo of the back of the J.K. Williams Building

J.K. Williams Building from New Main Drive circa 1932 vs. 2026

This photograph is of the Williams Administration Building, taken from what would now be New Main Drive. This photograph was taken shortly after the building was completed in 1932, before New Main Drive was paved.

 a recent photo of the front of the J.K. Williams Building  a historic photo of the front of the J.K. Williams Building

Kyle Field late 1930s vs. 2026

This photograph was taken in the late 1930s or early 1940s. Kyle Field was originally built in 1927 and named for E.J. Kyle, class of 1899, who first established a football field on campus in 1904 while chairman of the Athletic Council. Behind Kyle Field, P.L. Downs Natatorium and DeWare Field House can be seen.

 a recent aerial photo of Kyle Field  a historic aerial photo of Kyle Field

Memorial Student Center early 1950s vs. 2026

This photograph is of the Memorial Student Center. The Memorial Student Center (MSC) was built in 1950 and officially dedicated on April 21, 1951, to Texas A&M students who died in World War II. It was rededicated in 1976 to Aggies who have died in all past, present and future wars. It has undergone considerable expansion and renovation since it was built, with a major renovation occurring between 2009 and 2012. This photo was taken in the early 1950s, shortly after the MSC was built.

 a recent photo of the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M  a historic photo of the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M

Military Walk 1928 vs. 2026

This photograph was taken in 1928. On the left side of Military Walk are Bizzell Hall, Goodwin Hall and the YMCA Building. On the right side of Military Walk are the Assembly Building, Foster Hall, Ross Hall and Gathright Hall. Sbisa Dining Hall is in the middle, at the end of Military Walk.

 a recent aerial photo of the military walk at Texas A&M  a historic aerial photo of the military walk at Texas A&M

Sbisa 1920s vs. 2026

This photograph was taken in the 1920s and shows the Sbisa Dining Hall, built in 1912 to replace the 1898 mess hall, which burned on Nov. 11, 1911. This building is named for Bernard Sbisa, who was a steward for the college from 1879 to 1926. To the left, the Shirley Hotel can be seen.

 a recent aerial photo of the Sbisa building  a historic aerial photo of the Sbisa building

YMCA Building early 1940s vs. 2026

This photograph is of the YMCA Building, which was erected in 1914. Originally, the building included a chapel, swimming pool and bowling alley, before being heavily renovated in 2010. During renovation, a time capsule from the Class of 1914 was found, the contents of which are now in Cushing Memorial Library and Archives. In the foreground is the bugle stand, a gift from the Class of 1936. This photo was taken in the early 1940s.

 a recent photo of the YMCA building  a historic photo of the YMCA building

Contact Us

If you have questions or ideas you’d like to share with the committee, reach out to us at tamu150@tamu.edu.