Old College

Old College, formerly known as “Franklin College” in honor of Benjamin Franklin, is the University of Georgia’s first college. Old college was built on a small fraction of the 633 acres owned by Mr. Milledge. At the time, purchasing and laying 1000 bricks cost $11.50, a similar price to that of a cask and nails at $10. To cover the cost of the college, a $5000 loan was taken from John Billups. In 1803 Old College was finished. At two stories tall, the college stood atop today’s “North Campus” hill to ensure students studied in the finest air possible. The fresh college air was soon to be enjoyed by UGA’s first students as people flocked from all over to Old College in hopes of educating their children and building a brighter future. Old College graduated the first class of thirty to thirty-five people in 1804. The first class was taught by Josiah Meigs, the president and sole teacher of the university. Meigs was required to solely teach students until the college population grew to the extent that teaching aids became vital to its success. As time progressed, structures began to rise around Old College. The President’s house, costing $1887.27, was built alongside the Old College. The School House and Grammar School followed suit, as well as many shops and stores in Athens. By 1805, UGA had expanded both educationally and physically. New colleges brought new fields of learning, while stores and hotels acted as a foundation for the town of Athens to grow upon.

Citations

Boney, F. N. A Pictorial History of the University of Georgia. University of Georgia Press, 2000.

“History of UGA.” University of Georgia, www.uga.edu/history.php.

Hull, Augustus Longstreet, and Henry Hull. Annals of Athens, Georgia, 1801-1901. Heritage Papers, 2014.