Today, Wofford and other colleges rely on glossy admissions viewbooks, and now, attractive websites to show prospective students how their campus looks. Before the days of full-color brochures, the college had to rely on the printed word. Wofford’s annually-published catalogue, in addition to describing the courses offered, admissions rules, and requirements for graduation, the catalogue also described the campus its atmosphere. These words come from the 1906 catalogue, but they were the same in several other editions of the era. The photos are from Wofford College Illustrated, 1898, an early pictorial yearbook of the college.
Some Advantages of Wofford
Situation– Climate and surroundings have much to do with the kind of studying a student does. No better climate can be found anywhere for intellectual work than that of the high piedmont region of upper Carolina. It is salubrious and bracing, and stimulates mind and body to do their best.
Health– No healthier place can be found in the South than Spartanburg. The Wofford College campus, upon which the students live, is a high, well-drained hill, removed from the dust and smoke and noise of the city. Students thus have within reach all the conveniences of the city, together with the healthful benefits of the country. Besides these natural surroundings, so conducive to health, oversight is taken, as far as possible, of the exercise and sports of students. A large, thoroughly equipped Gymnasium, under the care of a competent director, has been found of inestimable value, not only in preserving health, but in aiding the growing bodies of young men to a state of vigorous natural development.
Social and Intellectual Surroundings— Spartanburg furnishes an unexcelled social and intellectual atmosphere. The best entertainments – entertainments that make for the highest refinement – are constantly within reach of the student. Music by famous musicians, lectures by men of world-wide reputation, readings by authors who are making the literature of the day, are all means of general culture that help to educate in the very best sense the students of Wofford.
The first image is a view of the campus from the city standpipe – on the highest point in the city – you can see Main Building to the left and Alumni Hall (mentioned last week in the blog) in the middle of the picture, North Church Street in the foreground and the city in the background. The second image is of student cottages on the outskirts of campus – not so different an idea as the Village of today.