Agnes Scott College - Silhouette Yearbook (Decatur, GA)

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by noting great results growing from small beginnings. A glance at the twelve 3 ' ears ' history of Agnes Scott will show grounds for bright hopes for the future. The power of a dormant idea is illustrated in the very beginning of the Institute. Though Agnes Scott is of recent organization, the idea of a Presbyterian school for girls was discussed in the Synod of Georgia as early as 1845, and it is said on good authority, that Decatur and the present site of the Institute were selected as in every way desirable for such a school. For the time, the idea bore no fruit ; but, after lying dormant for two decades, it brought forth a bud of promise. In 1889, Dr. F. H. Gaines, Col. G. W. Scott, Milton A. Candler, J. W. Kirkpatrick, Hiram Williams and others, met and took steps for the organization of the Decatur Female Semi- nary. In a rented frame building the school began its career with four teachers and an enrollment of sixty pupils, all from Georgia. But the geuerosit) of one of its founders was not to suffer the usefulness of this institution to be limited by poor equipments. In September, iSgi, Col. Geo. W. Scott, of Decatur, had built and equipped at a cost of $112,500, a handsome brick building which, with the engine house and laundry, at that time constituted the sole buildings on the campus. The steadily grow- ing reputation of the Institute, however, soon increased the patronage, and the need for more room became imperative. Agnes Scott spread beyond the Blue Line, as the old Consolidated Electric Car Line was called by the Institute people. On the east side of the Institute may now be seen a block of buildings belonging to the school. Southeast of the main building is the President ' s house. This com- fortable two-story building, with its shady, well-kept lawn and artistic flower- beds, is the home of Dr. F. H. Gaines. Here, on certain happy occasions, the hearts of faculty — and sometimes even of seniors — are gladdened by the hospitality of this home. In neighborly proximity stands the little green cottage with its white furnishings — its muslin curtains and white iron beds. This is the realm of our trained nurse, whose cheery presence and skillful care rob the Infirmary of many of its terrors. Beyond the Infirmary is — or rather, sad change, zuas — the cottage, the two-story frame building that furnished shelter for teachers and girls after the first overflow from the Institute proper. The site of the cottage is now

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t. WEST LAWN COTTAGE. Retrospective GLIMPSE of tlie Twentieth Century Agnes Scott is a revelation to the A. S. I. girl of ten years ago. The enlarged grounds, the additional buildings and equipments, the extended curriculum, the increased faculty — these make her wonder, admire, rejoice. A jear of unusual prosperity — for so we have the pleasure of characterizing the 5 ' ear that is fast making a page in the history of Agnes Scott — always brings to those interested in the success of an enterprise a desire to look back over its history, that they may take encouragement and kindle enthusiasm 13

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marked by two lone chimneys and a few scattered bricks ; for on Friday, December 21, in spite of heroic efforts to save it, the cottage burned to the ground. Memorable day ! A day that has been found convenient as the date of numerous jokes at the expense of unsuspecting and distressed persons. Since the burning of the cottage, the homeless teachers and girls have been moved to the large white house just below their former quarters. The most recent, and perhaps the most welcome addition to the Insti- tute property, came to us at the close of last session through the liberality of Mr. S. M. Inman and Mrs. Josephine Abbott, both of Atlanta. Theirs are names that have long been prominent in benevolent causes, and we believe that they could not have bestowed their gifts where they are more needed or more sincerely appreciated. Using the ten thousand dollars placed at their disposal, the Board of Trustees purchased the property adjoining the Institute on the west. The property was improved and the house fur- nished, thus providing for the accommodation of the increased number of applicants. West Lawn, as this last gift has been nained, adds greatly to the appearance of the campus, and already it has become a favorite spot to many of the ' 02 girls. In every way Agnes Scott is growing ; in consequence, there are new needs to be met each year. As long as these needs are met by the earnest efforts of the past years, we may expect this growth to continue. There are still crying needs — a new chapel, a separate building for a library, an increased number of volumes in our library. L,et those of us who are most interested in our Alma Mater not rest content until we have these things, too, and have made ourselves useful in placing Agnes Scott in the forefront of Southern educational institutions.