Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium at the University of Texas
THE FIRST PAYMENT
In 1899, University of Texas students began playing and practicing football on a three-and-a-half-acre vacant lot east of campus on 24th Street and Speedway. The lot’s owner, only named in our research as Mr. de Cordova, requested that the University purchase the real estate for $3,000; otherwise, he intended to divide the property and sell it in pieces. The UT students raised $1,300 and, on their behalf, the faculty made the first $1000 payment to the City “National Bank of Austin” who held the note for what they began calling “Varsity Field.”
