Auburn University - Glomerata Yearbook (Auburn, AL)

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Toomer s Corner . ..,.ug, .,.. , , , ,J Below: Toomer's Corner flourished during the l950's. Below: South College Street and Toomer's Corner displayed the lights and night life of the l980's. 1 8 Student Life

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Traditions were memories of the past that have become a part of today. After 131 years of providing higher education, Auburn has become full of traditions. Some of these were events, some were stories and others were places. ln Auburn, there was one place which became a rich tradi- tion to every Auburn student, faculty member and alumnus . . . the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and College Street, bet- ter known as Toomer's Corner. A gathering fplace for many past Auburn generations, Toomer's got its name from the drug store that established itself there around 1890. The store was owned and operated by Sheldon Lynne Toomer and his stepfather. Mr. Toomer became a very prominent town member, and would often stand on this corner and talk to other businessmen. The front of the hardware store next door, which was still in business, thus became the afternoon meeting place. When political crowds of the late 1890's and early 1900's became too large for Langdon Hall, rallies were moved to Toomer's Corner. Political figures such as Big Jim Folsom and George C. Wallace have entertained crowds of up to 3000 at the corner. ln early years, before underground elec- trical wires, students and townspeople would gather at Toomer's after away foot- ball games and celebrate the win by decorating the telephone wires with streams of toilet paper. After the telephone poles were removed and traffic lights were hung, fans continued to gather and roll the corner, but now with more intensity. ln the last several years, crowds no longer have waited for away football games to gather at the corner. Instead, people appear there after home football games, basketball games and important announcements such as Heisman Trophy winners. Pep rallies were often held at Toomer's because of the strong sense of Auburn spirit students received when they were there. The SGA has even used it as the location of an- nouncements of the new cheerleaders and Aubie - two of Auburn's leaders in spirit. Social gatherings were not the only events C 0 taking place at Toomer's Corner. The Auburn Grille, Auburn's tradition for breakfast and lunch was located just up Magnolia Avenue from the Toomer's Drug Store, where many Auburn students quenched their thirst with a traditional glass of freshly-squeezed lemonade. Many people considered Toomer's Cor- ner as the entrance to campus because the Main Gate of Auburn University was located on the corner diagonally across from the drug store. Toomer's Corner was such a part of Auburn that the City of Auburn has placed the city Christmas Tree there every year - proving to be one more tradition associated with Toomer's Corner. Far Left: Students showered Toomers Corner's light posts with toilet paper after defeating Georgia Tech. Below: Cruising through Toomers Corner, this Mercedes Benz was covered with remembrances of another victory. 5 J: r x X Student Life 1 9 2 2 2 1