Oglethorpe University - Yamacraw Yearbook (Atlanta, GA)

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Something Old, Something New And Something From the Future? This memorial marking the site of old Og- lethorpe University was erected in 1931. The stones used in the base of the marker were foundation stones from the old univer- sity. Central Hall was the main campus building at Midway. It contained a large Chapel which was surrounded by faculty offices, classrooms and a library. It also contained a museum in its basement. A far cry from present day Oglethorpe dorms, this is the only remaining one of the original twelve two-room dorms at Midway. Formerly there was no door in the center. Each room measured 18 feet by 18 feet. There were six of these dormitories in a row on either side of the campus, in front of Central Hall. HISTORY OF BUILDINGS 3

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Oglethorpe University began in 1838 in Midway, GA, (near Milledgeville). The main buildings on the campus were Thalian Hall, Central Hall, and the twelve dorm buildings. Central Hall was completed in 1840 by Joseph Lane, Sr. at a cost of $38,000.00. Thalian Hall was completed in 1860 by Joseph Lane, Jr. as a dormitory and meeting hall for the Thalian Society. The So- ciety began in 1839 to promote oratory, dec- lamations, debating and other literary pur- suits. It is one of the two remaining buildings at Midway now. The Midway campus flour- ished until the early 1860 ' s when it had to close down due to the Civil War. Oglethorpe University attempted to reopen at Midway in 1 866 but it could not maintain at that time and so closed its doors once again. Then in 1871 it was decided that it would be advantageous to relocate Oglethorpe in Atlanta, the new cap- itol, since Milledgeville was no longer going to be the hub of Georgia. During its relocation in Atlanta in 1871 Olgethorpe stayed in the pre- sent day Atlanta City Hall building. This re- vival attempt unfortunately also did not last. Finally the school was moved to Atlanta in 1915. The first building erected was Hearst Hall. Hearst Hall has served in many capacities. Its third floor was once dormitories. Its basement, where the present day Bookstore is, was the old cafeteria. Lupton Hall also served as many different things. It had an indoor pool which spanned the length of the present day pit and the business office. Its third floor also served as dormitories for awhile. Lowry Hall was probably the most diverse in range of uses. It served as both boys ' and girls ' dorm rooms, at different times, and its top floor served as an apartment for the Men ' s Housing director Thalian Society Hall is one of the two re- maining buildings of the old campus at Midway. This building served as a dormi- tory during the years Sidney Lanier attend- ed Oglethorpe. The third floor of the Thalian Hall was used by the Society for its meetings and social affairs. The plaster medallion on the ceiling from which a candle chandelier was hung dales back to the building ' s completion in 1860. 2 HISTORY OF BUILDINGS

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The future Ogelthorpc? No. but it could have been as of the plans drawn in 1913 for the expansion of the campus. Lupton, Hearst. Lowry and part of Faith were built before these plans were abandoned. Married student bousing? A natatorium? Community Faculty housing? This couldn ' t be Oglethorpe, could it? These were the plans for expansion drawn up in the 1940 ' s. Realizing that Milledgeville was no longer going to be the hub of Georgia, the present administrators tried unsuccessfully to relo- cate Oglethorpe into Atlanta in 1871. It was eventually moved successfully to At- lanta in 1915. • fc If MASTER PLAN 0(i SnEETZANPHHAOFIEI-n -U MK EDWABt) I- OAfOHLRTY TRAfKrC PLAWNINQ ASSOCIA-ii- 1 - ATUNTA .rOlT Y . HALL , . . ■Site of )HO¥E of johN- KIAl : ' . . 1859 - 1B64 -— HEADQUARTERS OF ■GENERAL WILLIAM •T SHERMAN SEPT 8, OCT 3, NOV 14-16 1864. HOUSEt 0GLETH0R| ' ' E UI IVERSITY 1871 - 1872 ATLANTA BOYS ' HIGH SCHOOL ia?6 92 ATLANTA GIRLS ' HIGrf SCHOOL I87J-t i7 MADE BY o ' ' ' W P. A. GEORGIA SCHOOL 6f TECHNOLOfiT 1936 t mt 4 HISTORY OF BUILDINGS