These two images were among those in the box of little glass plate negatives that Tommy Lavergne gave the Woodson back in 2011. You’ll be able to tell at a glance that they are extremely early–there’s nothing whatsoever in the background. I never used them before today because I couldn’t understand them. If I looked long enough I would actually get dizzy.
The reason for this, I now know, is that I had the images reversed. It only took nine years for me to figure this out. In any event, this is how they’re supposed to go:
Bonus: They’re standing pretty close to where the letter B is on this 1927 drawing.
On nice days I used to go sit in those bleachers (“grandstand”) to read and study. The field was no longer used for much. Phys Ed students used it, and I guess it was used for track and field events. I remember that I was there one morning (I think it was in April of 1964) with Hank Coleman and Jerry Saddler showed up and started running. He ran a mile, then rested, then ran a mile, then rested, and repeated a couple of times. It was possible then for me to run a mile, but I hated it and was not good at it. I was better at sprinting; but flat feet and bad knees dictated that I would never be a competitive runner or sprinter.
Messed your name up again.
The first grandstand for Old Rice Field that bordered University Blvd. were built in time for the Fall 1926 season. (See the article on page 4 of the Sept. 21, 1926, Thresher: https://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/handle/1911/65169/thr19260921.pdf?sequence=1)
If this photo was taken near B., then that grandstand should be in the background. But since it’s not, the photo must have been taken before Fall 1926.
Some excerpts from that article:
> > >
The stands rise 32 tiers into the ether, and presage overflowing crowds at Rice games this season.
Facing the prospect of one of the best football teams in the history of the school, Rice has made preparations to accommodate the largest crowds ever seen on the home field. (Rice business manager Gaylord) Johnson says he expects record breaking crowds especially for the Texas, S. M. U. and Baylor games.
. . .
The new steel stands … will seat 11,000 … and … cost $41,000.
. . .
If the team runs true to form this season, plans for a complete stadium and new gymnasium and field house will merge into reality. According to Johnson, the plans at present call for a complete steel stadium around the west end of the field to be finished by next season.
The stadium will contain stone and concrete enough to make it even more beautiful than the Texas Memorial Stadium at Austin.
< < <
The 1926 team — Coach John Heisman's 3rd season at Rice — finished 4-4-1, 0-4 in the SWC.
Yes, this had to have been taken much earlier than 1926. I’d put it in the early to mid-teens.