In the late 1800's, a famous Memphis family named Williams built the home which came to be known as the Van Vleet Mansion.  They transferred title to it to the Peter P. Van Vleet family (of the Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Company that was next to the Peabody Hotel).  The house sat on 20 acres where Tech is today.  To the northeast of the house stood a beautiful greenhouse noted for its exotic tropical plants.  As one entered the greenhouse, the first sight to meet the eye was a magnificent fountain surrounded by a curved stone seat.  (We all remember that seat which sat on the front lawn of Tech).  There was a chauffeur's and gardener's cottage and the horse stable stood where the ROTC Armory was eventually located.  There was a music room inside with a beautiful chandelier (the only one of its kind in existence).  There was a very large pink and gold Ball Room where the Memphis elite would dance the night away.  The two stone lions that guarded the the two drives up to the house were later used on one of Tech's gates, but eventually were given to the Memphis Zoo and still reside there.

Mr. Van Vleet died at an early age and Mrs. Van Vleet gave the property to the city to built the new Tech High School.  She also donated the mahogany, closed-in book cases (we all remember) in the library.  They are still there.  She gave a triple mirror used in the clothing room, a sofa and dressing table in the teacher's lounge and a piece of mahogany sculpture which stood in the library as late as 1960.  And we all recognize the Van Vleet portico with its 4 columns, being utilized as the entrance to the new Tech.