John Tarleton

It would be almost thirty years after John Stephen and George Erath established the town of Stephenville that John Tarleton walked from Tennessee to our part of the state.   With his money and land certificates sewn into the lining of his coat, he dressed as a beggar.  After choosing Waco first as the site for his college, Palo Pinto second, his attorney finally convinced him to choose Stephenville.  This building was the first to open its doors to Tarleton students in 1898.  It goes without saying that his contribution continues to be a tremendous asset to Stephenville and the surrounding area.