For many years the front gates were regularly locked. This is the first I’ve ever seen of this sign, though. It think the picture was taken in about 1917:
Just for a refresher, here’s what was on the other side of the gate in this era:
I wonder if they wanted them latched so they wouldn’t swing around, because it doesn’t seem like it would provide much in the way of security.
Bonus: I’m in New York for a meeting. It’s been very foggy. Pretty cool looking.
When I was at Rice in the seventies, the University closed all the gates once a year, sometime during the summer (maybe on July 4?). I was told this was done to establish that the grounds were private property. Do they still do that?
It may be that the request on the gate was an attempt to keep the livestock in – mules come to mind. Mules on Main Street would now be a major distraction – at the time they were an accepted part of traffic – but unattended a concern.
They had the street gates locked recently, for either Christmas or New Year’s.
Yes, it’s to maintain the private status of the streets on campus.
800 5th Ave?
I too would go for keeping livestock out. I for one remember cattle where the Astrodome is, so I can imagine stock could have been a problem.