Many of these buildings, erected mainly in the 1920's and 1930's, were of brick made by students in the school's brick plant, located in west Rome. Funds for the purchase of the plant were given by automobile magnate Henry Ford. He knew the brick plant had recently been sold to absentee owners who were putting up thousands of dollars' worth of equipment. The reactivated plant produced 10 million tapestry bricks of the proper texture and color range for several campus buildings. Besides learning to make bricks, the students also learned tolay them in finished walls.
Many alumni still like to identify walls they laid.
Closed in World War II, the brick plant was eventually sold. T he original Mothers' Building was the result of a project of Mrs. Frank Inman and Mrs. Robert Alston. As leaders of the Martha Berry Circle of Atlanta, they sponsored the construction of a new girls' dormitory with funds solicited not only in Atlanta but all over the country. Have Made Possible the Erection of this Building. The names of those honored by such gifts were carved on the massive wooden doors still found in this part of the building.