St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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THE CAMPUS

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iaiztnrg nf St. Zluhrfa A V 'A ING NVILLIAMS SCHOOL, founded in 1696, was the first f name given to this, the oldest and most revered institution in K the State today. At hrst the school consisted of but one simple lg brick building, and its first president was the Reverend Edward E Butler, Rector of St. Anne's. Although King Williams School ,. r '5f55f'f satisfied a long-felt want, it was by far not all that the colonists desired and needed. WL? , What was needed was a college where one could obtain a higher education without crossing the Atlantic. It was proposed to found such a college as early as 1671. Although several attempts were made to push a bill through the Legislature, a charter was not granted until 1784, due to the Revolution. The college was named St. john's College, and at first, and, in fact for seventy-one years, the only building was I3laden's Folly, later called McDowell I-Iall, in honor of the first president, Dr. McDowell. The first thirteen years were prosperous ones, but in I806 the Legislature withdrew its support. From then until 1831, when Dr. Hector Humphries tool: charge, the College saw hard times. In his administration, which lasted until 1857, two new buildings-'Pinkney and Humphrey Halls--were added by his untiring efforts. In 1861, during the Civil NVar, St. John's ceased to exist. It was reopened in 1866, only to stumble along uncertainly until 1886, when Dr. Thomas Fell became president. NVe owe to him the school we have today-a school honored and respected by all. During his administration VVoodward and Randall Halls and the new gymnasium were built, and McDowell, which burned in IQOQ, was rebuilt. In her long and enviable career St. John's has turned out many alumni of whom any institution might well be proud. One of the most interesting features of the campus is the old Liberty Tree, which experts say is nearly a thousand years old. It has been reinforced with concrete, so that it stands as sturdily as ever. Tradition says that under this old tree a treaty was signed between the colonists and the Indians. The Daughters Of the American Revolution have marked it as a spot of historical interest. 31

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5,52- vie- MCDOWELL HALL