The Sam Houston Fork

Not a Rail Fork

2012-01-19T15:21:00.000-06:00

The Fork on the rails of the Hermann Park Railroad, between the Jones Reflection Pool and the Sam Houston Monument sculpture. Time to catch a ride back home!

Stick a fork in this tour - we're done!

Houston of Natural

2012-01-19T15:09:00.000-06:00

The Fork hides outside the entrance to the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Hermann Park.

The Planking Fork

2012-01-19T15:02:00.000-06:00

The Fork shown planking near the Sam Houston Monument.

He Went That-A-Way!

2012-01-19T14:51:00.000-06:00

Sam Houston, wearing 19th century military attire and cape, is shown on horseback leading his men into the battle of San Jacinto, which the monument is positioned to point towards. Cerracchio depicted the horse in motion by raising and detaching the front left and back right legs from the base and its head bent downward. Anyone want to hazard a guess what the color originally was?

The Green, Green Grass of Houston

2012-01-19T14:50:00.000-06:00

Was a sunny day. Lot a clouds up in the sky.

The arch was constructed by Frank Teich (1856-1939) with the words SAM HOUSTON in relief on end.

Thereby Hangs a Fork

2012-01-19T14:46:00.000-06:00

Suddenly, a fork forced itself inside the frame and ruined one of the grandest photographs ever.

This is not that picture.

Plaque Attack!

2012-01-19T02:45:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I guess it is. It’s the Fork at the Sam Houston Monument, a colossal, equestrian, bronze sculpture that rests on a triumphal granite arch. The inner walls of the arch feature mounted bronze plaques, one noting that it was the Women's City Club that raised funds for this sculpture (unveiled August 16, 1925) and another giving a chronology of Houston’s life. The Fork seems to be prying this second plaque off the wall (fulcrum be damned).

The Sam Houston Monument

2012-01-19T02:41:00.000-06:00

The Sam Houston Monument is a colossal, equestrian, bronze sculpture that ...wait, is that what I think it is?

On the Road Again

2011-03-12T13:05:00.000-06:00

On the way out of town the Fork stops by the newly reopened Mr. Hamburger for lunch. It’s a great way to end another visit to Huntsville. Later!

Grave Concerns

2011-03-12T10:23:00.000-06:00

The Fork visits the final place of Samuel Houston. How many utensils do you take to cemeteries?

Getting Tired

2011-03-12T10:14:00.000-06:00

Yeah, this was bound to happen sooner or later.

Driving KSHU Crazy

2011-03-12T10:09:00.000-06:00

The fork hitches a ride on the KSHU remote van. Where’s it bound? Who can say?!?

They Show Their Hanging Banner

2011-03-12T10:06:00.000-06:00

The fork hangs out around Austin Hall.

Sam on a Stick with a Fork

2011-03-12T09:34:00.000-06:00

Yeah, we saw this last time we were there – Sam holding the fork. Cute.

The fountain from the which the fork sits

2011-03-12T09:18:00.000-06:00

You know, the fountain used to work. It really did. But a fork was stuck in it and now it’s done.

(Wait...who wrote the copy for this script?)

Sittin’ ‘Round Smith Hall

2011-03-12T09:15:00.000-06:00

Hey, this looks somewhat familiar. Flashbacks to 1994 and that girl sitting on the front stoop and saying she’d been there since 5 A.M. (or thereabouts) and was going to be the first one to check into Smith that day come Hell or high water. Or something like that. I wonder whatever happened to her?

Find the Fork #2

2011-03-11T18:22:00.002-06:00

It’s sort of like a scavenger hunt: can you figure out where on campus the fork is hiding this time? Here’s a hint: it’s near something presidential.

The Trashman Cometh (Eventually)

2011-03-11T18:21:00.007-06:00

What with the rush to get out of town as fast as possible and celebrate Spring Break as far away as possible, trash gets thrown around every other which way. Here, the fork finds fellow utensils down on their luck – kicked to the curb, so to speak.

Food for Thought

2011-03-11T15:47:00.008-06:00

A late lunch/early dinner for the fork (and photographer) from the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Barbeque. It’s not often the fork is actually used as a fork and, yes, it has been washed. Twice.

Firmly Planted

2011-03-11T14:22:00.003-06:00

The fork suns itself outside the Horticulture Lab building.

Not the Terracotta Army

2011-03-11T14:18:00.003-06:00

Out at the Horticultural Center the fork runs into new friends courtesy the SHSU Horticultural Club.

Fork Art #6

2011-03-11T13:07:00.002-06:00

A quick stop by the Art Complex yields a wide-mouthed surprise.

Athena!

2011-03-11T13:03:00.004-06:00

Athena! The fork had no idea that it would see her! After years of standing guard in the Peabody Memorial Library, Athena now stands inside the north entrance of Art Building E. Hard to believe how old she is.

Meeting the President

2011-03-11T11:26:00.001-06:00

Dr. Dana Gibson was formally installed at SHSU’s thirteenth president on March 8 but the fork didn’t make it to campus in time for the ceremony. Now that it's here, the fork finds Dr. G about as animated as itself.

Don't Sit on It

2011-03-11T11:24:00.000-06:00

Dating from 1933, the presidential chair isn’t the sort of place you’d expect to find such a utensil. Also, the fork’s ex cathedra pronouncements were ignored by the empty room.

It's a Tea Party!

2011-03-11T11:23:00.001-06:00

The fork waits besides the cup and saucer for crumpets, but the sign out front said no food...so we’ll wait a bit on that. The presidential china contains the monogram of the university's namesake (Samuel Houston).

Head of the Class

2011-03-11T11:22:00.001-06:00

The fork returns to Huntsville and – having heard stories of prophetic brass heads – asks Coppini’s bronze bust of Harry Estill if this year’s campus tour will be eventful. Estill mutters “Meh” and so we move on.

At the Alamo #4

2010-12-31T12:43:00.001-06:00

The fork hanging around San Antonio.

At the Alamo #3

2010-12-31T12:33:00.002-06:00

Phil Collins has collected hundreds of artifacts related to his lifelong interest in the Alamo. Collins will be on hand to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo on March 5, 2011 as part of a memorial concert.

At the Alamo #2

2010-12-31T12:13:00.002-06:00

The fork inside the Alamo compound (sort of).

At the Alamo #1

2010-12-31T11:57:00.003-06:00

In the waning days of the Battle of the Alamo (somewhere between March 3–5, 1836), Colonel William B. Travis called the Alamo defenders together, explained that defeat was almost certain, and read the letter of surrender; Travis then (having chosen to die instead of surrender) reportedly pulled his battle sword, drew a line in the sand of the Alamo, and asked for volunteers to cross over the line and join him, understanding their decision would be irreversible. The legend states that all but one of the defenders (including Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett) joined Travis on his side of the line; Moses Rose being the only holdout.

Right on Track

2009-03-08T13:17:00.002-05:00

The fork moves out to the west for a while, and then it slides on the grass for a while. It gets up and goes back, right to the track. Is that going to get it back? Is someone playing loud music at Pritchett Field? Has this day made any sense? Who knows, but that’s how the Sam Houston Fork ends its day in Huntsville for now. Who knows where it might appear next!

Pritchett Field

2009-03-08T13:15:00.002-05:00

After a morning of walking central campus, the fork (and photographer) head westward to Pritchett Field.

CHSS Building

2009-03-08T12:48:00.001-05:00

Here’s a safe place to view the northwest corner of the new College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building.

Just a swingin’

2009-03-08T12:47:00.000-05:00

It’s easy for the fork to catch a ride on the Frances Handley Bowers memorial statue, installed in 2008.

A-belving we go, a-belving we went

2009-03-08T12:18:00.001-05:00

There is a bit of trepidation on the fork’s account in wanting to venture into Belvin cafeteria (or whatever they call it nowadays), a place where it might be mistaken for a regular plastic fork and not the ultimate ubiquitous utensil that it is.

Route that Fork

2009-03-08T12:04:00.001-05:00

Have you completed the Campus Walking Route? Watch out for any forks in the...never mind.

Performing Artistry

2009-03-08T12:01:00.001-05:00

The fork hangs around with other signage outside the site of the Performing Arts Center.

Party Utensil

2009-03-08T11:56:00.001-05:00

We have no idea who was celebrating with candles that spell “1991”, but the fork finally finds its party...and a spoon...atop the Sam Houston Parking Garage.

Tag – you’re it!

2009-03-08T11:54:00.001-05:00

The fork poses underneath the face of...someone. Anyone know anything about the liquidy artwork found in the southwest corner of the Parking Garage’s upper level?

Find the Fork #1

2009-03-08T11:50:00.000-05:00

It’s like our other scavenger hunt...but with a fork! Can you identify where in central campus the fork is hiding?

Mall Rat

2009-03-08T11:41:00.001-05:00

The fork goes on display to promote something with Program Council in the mall area.

Sink or swim?

2009-03-08T11:39:00.001-05:00

Uh-oh – the fork is getting awfully close to the water at the alumni fountain....

Fork goes all flowery on us

2009-03-08T11:38:00.000-05:00

Never mind tiptoeing through the tulips or rampaging through the rhododendrons, the fork moseys amongst the marigolds.

(Who wrote the copy for this script?)

Elegy for Pluto

2009-03-08T11:32:00.001-05:00

At the opposite end of the quadrangle from earth, the fork checks out the plaque for Pluto. Yes, the plaque for the “planet” Pluto still exists, though the fork finds it needing attention.

At Austin Hall

2009-03-08T11:30:00.001-05:00

A celebratory fork sticks itself into Austin Hall to wish SHSU a happy 130th anniversary.

Jewel Garden

2009-03-08T11:29:00.001-05:00

West of Austin Hall, the fork poses with the Jewel Lady in the Jewel Garden.

Sam on a Stick with a Fork

2009-03-08T11:18:00.001-05:00

The fork gets a "hand" from its namesake (let us not be silly).

Brick and Mortar

2009-03-08T11:15:00.001-05:00

Twenty-seven years ago last month Old Main succumbed to fire. The fork poses with some of the remaining bricks that make up the memorial.

Old Main Memorial

2009-03-08T11:13:00.001-05:00

The fork brags that, for once, it appears almost as large as the Main Building. (The fork’s inflated ego has no sense of proportion.)

A Sort of Homecoming

2009-03-08T11:11:00.001-05:00

The fork returns to which it came, that is, this is where it was found – in the Old Main Memorial – serving cake and punch.

An evans complex

2009-03-08T11:05:00.001-05:00

This far off the ground gives the fork a bit of an evans complex.

Fork lift

2009-03-08T10:59:00.000-05:00

The fork awaits a ride in the official unofficial transportation of SHSU.

The fork posts up

2009-03-08T10:57:00.001-05:00

At the temporary post office, itself near Art Building A, the fork wonders how far it could go without a stamp.

Fork Art #5

2009-03-08T10:55:00.000-05:00

What matter of green fellow has the pronged-one fallen in with now?

Fork Art #4

2009-03-08T10:52:00.001-05:00

Enjoy the sidewalk art between buildings A and C.

Fork Art #3

2009-03-08T10:50:00.001-05:00

You have to wonder if the fork blends in too much with the sign promoting Art Building C?

Fork Art #2

2009-03-08T10:47:00.001-05:00

There is select seating in the sculpture garden outside Art Building F.

Fork Art #1

2009-03-08T10:46:00.001-05:00

The fork finds a friend (sort of) outside Art Building F.

Hooking Up

2009-03-08T10:38:00.001-05:00

Rumour has it the fork can meet other forks as well as spoons and knives at the South Paw. Again, it’s Sunday so chances are slim for this four-pronged player.

Fork at Drain

2009-03-08T10:30:00.001-05:00

The fork poses in front of a sign for the Lee Drain Building.

Sound Overtones

2009-03-08T10:26:00.003-05:00

The Sam Houston Fork has a cousin that is a tuning fork in a band and
therefore finds special resonance at the Blatchley Bell Tower.

The Greatest Fork on Earth

2009-03-08T10:21:00.003-05:00

Its prongs needing a rest, the fork lays out on the Earth plaque,
one of the many signs in the campus model solar system.

eStill Going!

2009-03-08T10:20:00.002-05:00

The fork is (e)still going strong outside the Estill Building.

Utensil Not Allowed

2009-03-08T10:17:00.002-05:00

The fork is denied entrance to the Ragsdale Visitor and Alumni Center – partly because SHSU does not graduate utensils, but mostly because it’s Sunday.

Place setting: front and center

2009-03-08T10:15:00.002-05:00

The fork finds its way to the front entrance along Sam Houston Avenue.