University Gardens, Texas Woman's University

The original Rock Garden and native botanical area at this site was established in the 1930s by the Exterior Beautification Committee of Texas State College for Women, now Texas Woman's University. Members of the committee were Willie Isabella Birge, director of the Department of Biology, Fred Westcourt, director of the Department of Rural Arts and Mary Marshall, director of the Department of Art. The gardens were planned and landscaped to display a diverse collection of plants from Texas and other areas. Paths and retaining walls were constructed of native stone. The adjacent chapel in the woods was added in 1938. A focal point of the campus for many years, the gardens were neglected following World War II and they became overgrown. In the late 1970s, through a cooperative effort of university officials and local residents, the area was restored. The University Gardens are now a sanctuary for the preservation of native Texas wildflowers. The site serves as an educational laboratory for students, as a trail garden for plants used in campus landscaping and as a place of serenity and relaxation. (1982)

University Gardens, Texas Woman's University is a historical marker in Denton, Denton County, dedicated in 1982. It is one of 110 historical markers documented in Denton County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 174 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.2291, -97.1284 near Denton. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Building of Texas Woman's University (historical marker), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Pioneer Woman, North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, and Ford, O'Neil.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5121005610. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.