City Directories and History: (Greenwood Hall; Laura Lander Hall; Willson Hall) The Old Main Building of Lander College is a large masonry building, composed of three distinct sections displaying an eclectic blending of elements of the Romanesque Revival and Georgian Revival styles. Two of the sections—Greenwood Hall and Laura Lander Hall—were built in 1903-04; Willson Hall was added in 1911. Old Main is significant as the earliest Lander College building and for its
Main Building at Lander College. Courtesy of the Martin Postcard Collection – 2014
association with the educational theories proposed by the college’s founder and first president, Samuel Lander. Architecturally, Old Main possesses significance as an efficiently designed, early twentieth century college building and as an example of the designs of prominent Chattanooga, TN architect Reuben Harrison Hunt. The tower serves as a focal point for the building and defines its character as a school building. Thomas W. Cothran of Greenwood designed the 1911 addition. Methodist minister Samuel Lander founded Lander College in Williamston on 12 February 1872 as Williamston Female College. The South Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, assumed control of the college in 1898. As the college prospered it became necessary for the physical plant to expand and the city of Greenwood offered land and financial incentives for the institution to relocate in 1903. Listed in the National Register August 3, 1984. It has since been essentially demolished. (Courtesy of South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
The Fort Mill Times on July 9, 1908 contained an ad for Lander College, formally Williamston Female College in Greenwood. “The School will open on Sept. 18, with Rev. John O. Willson as President. It features comfortable, steam heated, and electric lighted buildings. The thorough teaching and training includes fine work in music and art.”
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
NATIONAL REGISTER – NOMINATION
NATIONAL REGISTER – IMAGE(S)
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
