-- Upcoming Centennial Events --
-- Centennial Memorabilia --
John W. Gates endowed Port Arthur College in 1909 as a nonprofit,
non-sectarian, vocational school focusing on stenography, accounting and
communications. Gates, one of the founders of the Texas Company (Texaco)
envisioned a school to complement local industries. Gates proposed building a
school and hospital as memorials to his mother, and asked that the city donate
the required property. The city council used public park land between Procter
Street and Lakeshore Drive for the College. Gates appointed the original
trustees, including George M. Craig as first president. The college opened for
classes on October 4, 1909. Gates believed the Spanish department would be
especially attractive, with the opening of the Panama Canal and increased trade
with Central America raising demand for bilingual secretaries and clerks.
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In December 1910, the board conveyed the college to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and the name was changed to Port Arthur Collegiate Institute.
In succeeding years, academic, music and science classes were added to the
curriculum. In 1919, the M.E. church returned management to the board of
trustees. By 1923, the college was a fully accredited commercial school.
Communications courses that began with wireless telegraphy expanded to radio
broadcasting and later a television station. During World War II, Port Arthur
College trained approximately 1500 operators in communications for the U.S. Army
Signal Corps. The college flourished and in 1975 became part of the Lamar
University System, later joining the Texas State University System and changing
its name in 1999 to Lamar State College-Port Arthur. The school has grown from
the first class of 35 enrolled to more than 3000 students today.
