In 1897, the well was given its present decorative form at the direction of President Edwin A. Alderman, who described his beautification project as largely derived from the Temple of Love in the Garden of Versailles. In 1954 the well was given added beauty with brick walks, plantings, and benches. Students can bring good luck with a drink from the Old Well on the first day of classes. This large tree marks the spot where, as legend has it, William R. Davie selected the site for the University in 1792. Since then the Davie Poplar has stood through all kinds of weather, including Hurricane Fran.
Students still stop for a respite on the bench below the tree's great limbs.
The first building constructed to house America's first state university. The cornerstone was laid on October 12, 1793. Nearly a century later, October 12 was declared Carolina's birthday, or as it is better known, University Day. Old East was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. The building has been used as a dormitory throughout its history.