Baylor Stadium: The Campaign and Construction: 1949-1950

This set of images were all digitally scanned directly from the photographer Jimmie Willis' 4x5 film negatives that are part of the photograph holdings of The Texas Collection.

These images were taken by the photographer for the Baylor Stadium building campaign that took place during 1949-1950. The Baylor Stadium Corporation that spearheaded this venture commissioned Willis as its photographer from the start.

His work begins with photographing the "inadequate facilities" at Municipal Stadium as the Baylor Stadium Corporation started their fundraising campaign for a new facility. He then goes on to photograph the chosen site before the new stadium's construction, its groundbreaking ceremony, construction shots, and after its completion.

Also included are some amazing aerial photographs taken by Willis that are not only important for Baylor history but for that of Waco as well. Additionally, the photographer captured a Baylor vs. Texas A&M game that had an incredible turn-out. The stadium and its parking facilities appear to be at full capacity in the images.

Many of these pictures have not been seen for decades. They were taken and then published in the local newspapers and in Baylor publications. They have never been seen at this high resolution as the following scans show.