St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-10-09
FAXED ST. CHARLES
COLLEGE OPENS DOORS
Phoaaiz-Ilks. Il Has Rlssn fran The ashas ai
Tao RssirsstIVa FIRES.
MAGNIFICENT new BUILDING
One that Raes Crsall b tAs soulA. .-PFs.
eauiluas Taken against RsssERsRss
of Destruction hy EiFo.

and friends of the st. Charles Col
lege, Grand Coteau, La, in the par
ish Of Sc. Landry, under the direction
Of the Jesuit Fathers, have at last
witnessed the accomplishment of
their desires to see the College re-
open: for to-day, in the presence Of
a numerous gathering Of parents and
friends, this ancient landmark Of
learning in the South threw wide its
portals to students, desirous of bene-
fting from either Of it's three
courses, preparatory, commercial and
classical.
In spite of two destructive fires,
the one in 1900, the other III 1907,
the college has in reality never
closed its doors against aspirants
after the training conferred By the
Fathers Of the Society Of Jesus,
though 90 crippled in it's accommoda-
lions, as to render d numerous gath
ering Of students within its venerable
walls iTnpracticable.
Remembering with gratitude the
benefits derived IN former years from
the old Institution, parents resident
in the surrounding towns and yet
more distant localities, were clamor-
GUS III their entreaties, that the
Fathers should again rebuild the col
lege: and to satisfy these legitimate
desires, and TO offer enticing eondi-
tions to prospective students, the
Fathers decreed, the past year, to
erect at the old side, a thoroughly
modern and commodious building,
which would meet every need Of par
ent and pupil.
Since The laying Of the corner
stone Of the present College, March
23rd, 1903, work has progressed
rapidly, though efficiently, and to-day
the college can boast Of a building
as complete in It's accommodations
and college facilities, ali can be found
in the South.
The massive structure, 383 feet In
length and Of three stories, with i
central section Of four stories, will
afford ample accommodation for the
200 students. Il is finished hand
somelY throughout, and, ornamented
with It's turrets and miniature battle
ments, presents somewhat Of the ap-
pearance Of an ancient castle Of
feudal times. Especial care has been
exhibited in providing large, light
some and airy classrooms, study halls,
and dormitories, together with bath
rooms and lavatories equipped with
modern sanitary plumbing, etc.
Steam heat viii render the hinge
building warm in winter, and namer-
ous windows and other devices, in-
sure 4 pleasant GOODNESS for the sea
son Of sumner. The lighting will be-
supplied by an acetyline gas genera
tor, installed in the grounds, amply
sufficient for the needs of the college.
And as the College has twice during
its past history suffered heavily from
devastating fires, future contingent
cieg Of like nature have been provid-
ed against, by introducing two fire.
proof sections, each 30 feet iii length,
which isolate, as far as fire is con-
eerned, the east and west wings
from the central section of the col
lege. Thus 10 any event, a serious
catastrophe would be impossible.
AS to location, st. Charles College
can lay claim to special and inviting
advantages. Grand Coteau, as itsI
name implies, is situated On al ele-
waited plateau in one of the most fer
tile and healthy sections of Louisiana.
1t is within easy reach Of the station,
Sunset. on the Alexandra branch Of
the Southern Pacific railroad, which
offers means Of easy communica-
tion with neighboring towns and New
Orleans.
The grounds are both spacious and
beautiful, abounding iii shady groves
and stately avenues Of oak, and ex-
tensive play grounds. Few parks in
deed of our greatest cities possess
greater natural beauties than do the
grounds surrounding st. Charles.
Both parents and pupils are en-
raptured over the college campus,
which. with It's football and baseball
facilities, outdoor gymnasium and
handbaIl courts. supply every advan-
tage ID be had from regulated
course Of athletics. These advantages,
together with the more solid benefits
accruing from the thorough, inteliec-
tual and moral training Of the Fathers
of the Society of Jesus, Who from the
year d. o. $40 hare stood ID the
foremost rank Of the worlds best
educators of youth. insure for actual
and prospective students that justly
Landed boon of mems sana In corpore
sano "a sound mind ii = sound
body.
Thus, The college of st. Charles,
after many vicissitudae during i