Author - risa brown

 “A fun book for western historians. A lively look at a small college that refused to die. In the heart of a town (Fort Worth,) which fought tooth and nail to grow into one of the biggest, and most amazing cities, in the Southwest. Plump with pictures of early Fort Worth’s best and brightest, it doesn’t fail to inform, and entertain. Who would read this book? Historians looking into the history of small or religious schools, early Western education, early Fort Worth, or Texas history.” 

Michelle Hartman.

Michelle Hartman is the author of Disenchanted and Disgruntled, as well as three other books of poetry. She is the former editor of Red River Review and an Alumni of TWU.

 “While titled Polytechnic Days, this book is about the beginning of Texas Wesleyan University located on the east side of Fort Worth, Texas, when it began as Polytechnic College from 1891 to 1901. Author Risa Brown who has written fourteen books before this one pieces together not only a chronological history of the first years but spends time on the individual profiles such as the first president of Polytechnic College, Reverend John W. Adkisson and many others who contributed to the success and history of the new university. C.L. Browning, Lee Rippey, Edwin Spurlock and the Tandy family are just a few. The book illustrates the difficulty of running a college and the lack of funds for teachers and maintenance at the beginning and what it took to turn the former prairie grounds into a college campus. Written in 2020, the book is part of a new genre of books that are bringing history to life. Anyone interested in learning a part of Fort Worth history should read this book.” 

Oliver Smith