Louisiana State University - Gumbo Yearbook (Baton Rouge, LA)

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18 Nostalgia

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. 5TAT E LM E R S Proposed plan of L t ' in Xtohcr s the years passed at the Old Campus, the University experienced phe- nomenal growth. The quarters became inadequate to meet the rising enrollment with no possible form of expansion because the city had almost encircled the site. The need for a new university plant prompted President Boyd into action. Boyd favored the Gartness Planta- tion, a large tract of land located three miles from the city of Baton Rouge, as the location of the new university. When a bill was introduced into the legislature for the purchase of a demon- stration farm for the school, selling at the same price as the plantation, Boyd was convinced to get this money reap- propriated for the new site. In May 1918, the University held a barbecue to help convince members of the legislature to pass this bill appropri- ating the money for the purchase of land for the new university. The festivi- ties were held on the Indian Mounds i located on the plantation. Speakers urged the passage of the bill, and the band played with the Glee Club singing rousing songs. Barbecue, buns, butter- milk, and black coffee were served. The absence of liquor caused the old-timers to call this the only dry barbecue in the history of Baton Rouge. Governor Ruffin G. Pleasant, a former member of the faculty, made the sweeping state- ment that the money would be forth- coming if the legislature bills passed. The barbecue had its positive effect and shortly afterwards the bill was passed favoring the new site. Before the legislative funds could be raised to pay for the Gartness Plantation, a note bor- rowing $50,000 to subsidize the pur- chase of the plantation was signed by nine interested citizens. The following year, a severance tax was levied by Gov- ernor John M. Parker (the Father of the Greater State University ) which pro- vided an appropriation for the new uni- versity, and the Louisiana Constitution of 1921 also provided a state tax for the support of the school. The building committee submitted its plans and the first spade of din was turned in March of 1920. The entire campus consisted of twenty buildings totaling up to $5,000,000 to build. The Memorial Tower wa s built in honor of the war dead of Louisiana during World War I and was paid for by the funds gathered from public subscription, the American Legion, and the legislature. The old campus was relinquished and the University moved to the new plant in 1926. Nostalgia I

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hortly after the occupation of the new University plant came the most significant event in Louisiana ' s and the Universi- ty ' s history, the dedication of the new university. The plans were to have it on January 2, 1926. the sixty-sixth anniver- sary of the university, but the plans were changed to April 30, the anniver- sary of the admittance of Louisiana into the Union as a state. It was a gala event and one of the most impressive and col- orful events seen in Baton Rouge for many years. The dedication ceremonies of the new Louisiana State University brought approximately 3,500 people, including military and educational leaders and prominent statesmen, to the campus for the three-day exercises that lasted from Friday, April 30, 1926, to Sunday, May 2, 1926. In a setting of pageantry and splendor, with all the color and impres- sive display befitting the occasion, the formal dedication of the University and of the War Memorial Tower took place Friday morning. The event included congratulations from President Coolidge to the Univer- sity for the completion of their educa- tional plant delivered by his representa- tive and many speeches. President Thomas Boyd welcomed the crowd and gave a short review of the history of the school. Former Governor John M. Parker to whom so much credit is due for the building of the new University brought greetings from leaders in the movement for a greater agriculture col- lege. Many speakers followed these two men and the festivities carried on throughout the day. On Saturday, a public inspection of the grounds and buildings was held. The day held many banquets and speeches for the public and the alumni. That afternoon, every- one gathered to watch a decisive victory over Tulane by LSU in a dual track and field meet. The festivities ended on Sunday with church services, and the new LSU was on its way to make its own history. on Aftit 30. 1926 --. .