The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1916-08-25
NJ vESTIGt LIFT
Of ONCE fok0US
ATHtkAtUn SCHOOL
TEARING DOWN OF OLD STUDY
HALL MARKS PASSING OF ONCE
FAMOUS INSTITUTION.
LARGEST IN THE WHILE SUUTH
In Heyday Of It's glory Special Trains
Run From Texas to Bring Pupils to
Academy-Rectory, Occupied by T.
G, Smith, is all That Remains.

The tearing down of the last build
ing of the Columbia Athenaeum to
provide brick for the construction OF
the addition to the College Hill negro
school marks the passing into oblivion
OF one of the greatest girls colleges
that has ever hourished in the south.
In the heyday of its glory this school
was known all over the country, pupils
from many states being in attendance.
From two to three hundred girls were
enrolled and gave life and color TO
the spot now occupied by the new City
High School. Special trains were run
from Texas to Columbia to bring the
girls from that far-away state to the
far-famed institution.
The school was founded by F. G.
Smith, the grandfather of the present
bearer of that name. Mr.. Smith was
connected with the Institute and COM
pleted in 1888 his residence next to
the Institute, which has ever since
been known as the Rectory. This
building had been begun by a Mr..
Walker, but it was completed by Mr..
Smith. In 1852 Mr.. Smith severed his
with the Institute and de-
termined to found a girls school near
his residence Thus the Columbia
Athenaeum came into existence in
1852. at which time the Study Hall
was completed. This building was the
first to be finished and the last to be
torn down.
In 1865 the growth of the school
necessitated the erection OF another
building and Davis Hall, the dormi-
tory, arose. 1t was torn down only
few years ago and the bricks were
used In the construction Of the Or
phans Home. Soon another building
was erected Just south Of the location
Of the present High school The Rho
tunda and the Pervelion, two octag-
onal structures, were next put up.
Sleepy Hollow was built as the con
Meeting structure between Study Hall
and Davis Hail. The gymnasium
building was located just south OF the
Study Hall.
Before the war the school was al
ready fourishing as an academy for
young ladies. In 1866, Mr.. Smith died,
but the school was continued by his
wife, with her son, Robert D. Smith,
as manager. At this time the school
was one of the best known in the
country and was the largest educa-
tional institution for young ladies in
the entire South. In 1871 Smith Bro
theirs, as executors, in the effort to
pay off the debts that had accumulat-
ed during the war, took charge of
the institution Robert D., Frank H.,
and DR.. W. A. Smith labored long and
earnestly to raise the necessary mon
ey. In 1886 all the debts Of the insti-
tuition were paid off. and Robert D..
Smith bought out his brothers and
ran the school until 1900, when the
property was leased to the city and
became the largest city school. In
1902 the property was sold to the city;
thus bringing to an end the actual
existence Of the school.
Since coming into possession of the
property the city has constantly I'm
proved it, and today vestige OF the
once famous institution remains. The
Rectory. which was never part OF
the school proper, is all that stands.
It is occupied by the only one left OF
the line OF the school owners, Frank
Gillette Smith. The same old furniture,
the same old pictures are yet in the
residence, which is known as the old
est and most picturesque in the city.