The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1937-07-31

this building will supply, In mag
nificent style. long felt need. SO
all the friends OF the university will
rejoice: and all the sons and
daughters OF Howard will be glad.
But. as Is usually true. in the
midst OF Joy there will be some
sadness TOO. For progress. though
necessary. Is often ruthless and
sometimes cuts our heartstrings
to make way for improvements.
The old. however dear II may be.
must pass on 10 make place for
the new. and the revered Is often
In the interest OF efficiency. So
structures that are hallowed by
time and tears and the Ivy OF sacr-
ed memories are swept away by the
insistent demands OF the on-march-
ing OF the human race.
And thus II happens that the old
main building on Howard Hill must
20 after standing the three score
years and ten. For seventy years.
silent and majestic. II stood there.
watching the changing drama of
the city below and looking off a
cross the Potomac and the land be
yond. so filled with the memories
OF the days that gave birth. Pa
tiently. amid calm and storm. 1t
has mothered It's brood and sent
them forth TO do the deeds OF men.
And now It's work Is done.
They dug It's foundation deep
and raised its belfry high those
pioneer soldiers and prophets who
bought the old Smith farm on the
hill and started the University in
1867, for they had no shame at
what they did
The spot they chose as a fitting
site for their great experiment OF
a college education TO recently e.
mancipated black men was on one
OF the Hottest elevations In the
Capital City OF the nation. Filled
with a holy zeal for the spiritual
emancipation OF the millions their
swords had helped TO free. two
generals OF the CIVIL War. Howard
and Whiitlesy. bargained for the
land. with high faith. kIndled In O
prayer meeting. where the lea oi
n higher school for Negroes In the
District OF Columbia was first con
ceived. but without a single dollar
in hand. these two hardy soldiers
closed the deal for one hundred and
fifty acres OF land and created a
debt OF $4,000. Thus was the ply
steal Howard born. FittIngly in
deed will the new building he call
ed Founders Library.
The Freedmens Bureau. Of which
General Oliver o. Howard was
commissioner. furnished the main
part OF the purchase price OF The
property. That part OF the land
not needed for university purposes
was sub-divided and sold by addi-
tionaI grants from the Freedmen's
Bureau and gifts from individuals.
made possible the erection Of the
four buildings which for so many.
the main architectural
units Of the University Tho Main
Minor Hall. Clark Hall
md the Medical School
Classes In Hall
Before these structures were
sver begun. however, recitations
we're held in n rented frame build
ng previously used as German
lance hall and saloon which stood
IN the east side OF what Is now
Georgia avenue, A short distance
'outh OF the present W Street.
Georgia was then known as Bright
wood Road, while w street was
allied "Pomeroy. after the Senator
rom Kansas. who presented the
Yet OF Incorporation 81 Howard
University 10 the United states
senate on January %, 1867. The
Home reservation. then az
Tow. bounded the university site
IN the East The Northern edge
u the city with its remnant OF refu-
rec camps touched the property
IN the South while 10 the North
ind West were farms and truck
yardcns. Such was the scene that
he Main Building looked down up
N In the days when II was young.
II seems we'll to relate here that
he original property OF /. Howard
extended on the west to
Georgia avenue as far South as
florida avenue. The boundary
hen ran along Florida avenue TO
Fourth Street; then North on
Fourth street 10 Elm then to Sec
md street and North to the Sol
Hers Home. The Northern bound
Try extended from second street
hear Soldiers Home 10 Georgia
avenue. Several plots within this
however, were never owned by the
These are the present
American League baseball park;
he site now occupied by the Con-
Baking company's plant:
he lot al Northeast corner OF Geor-
TIA and Florida avenues where the
<oss pharmacy now stands; and
inally the property at the North
'ast corner OF the plot at Harvard
street and Georgia avenue. Much
u the land that was sold off I'm
after the purchase OF tho
arm has since been repurchased
md added to Howard university