The Wilmington morning star., 1947-01-31

| 10. ellOll VI
aarded as one of the most oeau-
tiful structers of its kind In the
nation. Contributions and pledges
totallng s14,O 900 already have been
made for final additions to the
ITower and an additional sum OF
S.. 900 is needed to finish the prof.
ect. The Engineers Council, com
posed of students in the State Col
Ilege School of Engineering, recent
ly donated 81, 1000 for the instaila-
ton of chimes and a Westminster
strike to the present clock In Me-
mortal Tower.
The history of the construction OF
Memorial Tower, is reported by DIR.
David A. Lockmi'ler in his
History of North Carolina State
College," follows:
Before the Armistice was sign
ed. there were those who thought
some fitting memorial should be
erected in recognition of the Col
|lege's service in the World War
and to perpetuate the names OF
those alumni who gave their lives
in the struggle. On October rs,
1918, Vance Sykes, '07, of Savannah,
Georgia, wrote a letter to E. B.
Owen, editor of the Alumni News,
in which he urged a movement
to perpetuate the names Of those
who gave their lives that the world
might live in peace
ION December 20, 1918, w. D.
Faucette and w. L. Darde of Nor
folk, Virginia, formerly urged w.
F. Pate, president of the Alumni
Association, to appoint a memorial
committee which would proceed to
make collections for a suitable wal
memorial. This matter "a pre-
sented to the executive committee
Of the Alumni Association and on
January 5, 1919, a committee con-
sisting of c. L. Man, chairman; E.
B. Owen, secretary-treasurer; W.
F. Pate, John A. Park, and c. B.
Williams was named to conduct the
memorial campaign.
Opinions varied as to the ma
ture and cost of the memorial.
Flag poles, building, bronze
markers, towers, marble monu-
ments, stone arches, and scholar
ships were suggested and the cost
estimates ranged from $4,000 To
$100, 900. 1t was finally decided that
a memorial clock tower should be
erected on the triangle just north
Of Holiday Hall and south Of Hills.
boro Street.
1.-The plans for the tower were
prepared by W. H. Deacy of New
York City and construction of the
base was started in 1921 by the c.
V. York Construction Company Of
Raleigh, the stone being furnished
by the J. D. Sargent Granite Com
pany of Mount Airy. North Caro-
lima.
ION November II, 1921, the cor
ner stone was laid with impressive
Masonic ceremonies, the dedica-
tory address being delivered by
former Lieutenant Governor o.
Max Gardner, '03. The tower prof.
ect proved too expensive to be fin
ished within the next several years,
but a substantial portion was COM
during the administration
of President Riddick.
During the academic year 1885,
36, construction Of the Memorial
Tower was resumed after a period
of several years.
"The Senior Class of 1898
made possible the clock in the
Memorial Tower.
"The Memorial Tower, built in
recognition of the service and
valor of the State College alumni
who served in the World War, is
the finest structure of its kind in
the State. Construction of the stone
work which was started in 1920 was
finished in 1887 with the aid OF the
Works Progress Administration.
The tower, costing in excess of
300, 900, rises 122 feet from the
level of Hillsboro Street and con-
tains over 2,100 tons of concrete
and stone. Ultimately it will con.
ain chimes, an exhibit room, a
stairway, a bronze door, and
bronze lamp posts. Much credit
Tor the completion of the tower is
due Professor C. L. Mann, chair
man, and the other members of the
Memorial Committee who have
labored for more than twenty years
produce a structure which will
endure for centuries - a structure
will perpetuate the names OF
hose who fought and died for
liberty, justice, and democracy.
The Senior Class Of 1938-39 do.
mated the flood lights for Memorial
Tower"