Calhoun Circle
City Directories and History: Clemson’s main building, Tillman (Hall (Agricultural Hall), was built in 1893 following the establishment of the school in 1889. Architects, Alexander Campbell Bruce and Thomas H. Morgan served as supervisors of the project in the Romanesque Revival style architecture. The interior burned in 1894, was reconstructed in 1895.
View the Clemson NR Historic District images and information at: CLEMSON UN HIST DISTRICT
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Jan. 21, 1891 contained a description – “The management of the farm is being established and experiments with agriculture based on scientific principles are underway. Two homes of professors are nearing completion, with their slate roofs being installed, the laboratory building will also be getting a roof soon. This makes three building nearly complete. The cost has 500,000 brick ready for use and the brick plant is capable of producing 30,000 brick a day. A large number of applications from students from all counties in S.C. has been received. Students can be furnished board for $8.00”
March 11, 1891 the Yorkville Enquirer reported, “The trustees of Clemson College met at Pendleton and decided on some of the details of opening the college. It is proposed to open about Feb. 1st of 1892 and the years will be from Feb. 1 – Dec. 1. Ever student will be required to perform manual labor for two hours dailey. There will be military discipline and students will wear a uniform of gray. The cost for a poor boy will be board for ten months of $70., medical attention $5., washing $5., uniform and clothing $34., tuition $40. for a total cost of $144. The course will include: math, history and political economy, physics, chemistry, and agricultural studies. The school will be divided into department of agriculture and mechanical.”
The Yorkville Enquirer on Jan. 6, 1892 stated – “Clemson College can not be opened in Feb. as planned because the trustees are out of funds and work has been stopped. The legislature decided not to levy a tax which would bring in $65,000. to get all the work done. The school will likely open next February.”

Courtesy of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, the New York Public Library. The New York Public Library Digital Collections.

Tillman Hall (Agricultural Hall)
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IMAGE GALLERY via photographer Bill Segars – 2006 and POSTCARD images courtesy of the Revel Collection – 2015
- Collection of postcards from the Revel Collection of note to Clemson University – 2015
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