Western Carolina University

Architecture through the ages...

1889

Cullowhee Academy Building

“New Cullowhee Academy.” The Madison Era: 1888-1912
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This building was a single classroom building, which educated 18 students at the time. Soon, after the first year, 100 students had registered. The building on the right is the second building built on campus that was the art building

1903

Old Madison Building (1903 - 1904)

“Old Madison Building.” The Madison Era: 1888-1912
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The Old Madison Building, named after the founder Robert Madison, was the first major school building as well as the first state funded building. It consisted of classrooms, offices, and an auditorium. The top left tower in the picture was the bell tower. The bell was later moved to the Alumni Tower.

1907

Davies Home • Altacrest

“Davies Home.” The Madison Era: 1888-1912
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The Davies Home was built and was first occupied in 1910. It was the first to accommodate female students. This building was originally named Altacrest.

1913

The Joyner Building

Joyner Building

It was named after state superintendent of education J. Y. Joyner. The Joyner building served as classrooms, administrator facility, snack bar, library, gymnasium, and a bookstore. It was constructed in 1913, focusing on Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School. In 1952 it was the school’s library. In 1981, it was destroyed by a fire.

1924

The Moore Building

The Moore Building

It was named for Board of Trustees member Walter E. Moore. In 1924, the Moore Dormitory was completed and occupied by 180 women, and in 1929 the west wing was completed. The Moore building was reconstructed many times throughout it’s years and is one of campus’ historic site buildings. The building once held female dormitories, science labs, its own bank, post office, cafeteria, library, classrooms, and even a morgue for curriculum. Currently the building is under renovation again after many years of being closed and vacant.

1930

Steam Plant

This photo depicts the first steam plant being put in place. The steam plant still stands on campus and is what heats and supplies hot water throughout all of campus.

1931

Robertson Residence Hall

Named for a Board of Trustees chairman member, Reuben B. Robertson One of the original buildings is still standing on campus. This building once held classrooms and side wings built to accommodate living quarters and dormitories for students.

1939

Madison Residence Hall

Built in 1939 to replace the old Madison building in 1904. Madison hall was named for Robert Madison, the founder of WCU. The building still stands today and is a dormitory for students.

Madison Residence Hall

Built in 1939 to replace the old Madison building in 1904. Madison hall was named for Robert Madison, the founder of WCU. The building still stands today and is a dormitory for students.

Mckee

Originally the McKee Laboratory School, was the first campus building named in honor of a woman, Gertrude Dills McKee (1885-1948) and served on the Board of Trustees and as North Carolina’s first female state senator.

Hoey Auditorium

The Hoey auditorium was named after the NC governor Clyde Hoey, it was renamed in 2020 following the BLM Movement to be more “inclusive” The reason being, Clyde Hoey was a segregationist.

Breese Gymnasium

The building was named for the Board of Trustees Chairman William E. Breese The Breeze building is constructed from original rock from the surrounding area of WCU/Cullowhee, with each block cut by hand to accurately fit the building.

Student Union (Now WCU:WWOO Radio Station)

The student union building built in 1939,which held Public Works Administration project. In 1939, was the Fiftieth Anniversary of the university, and a celebration was held in the Student Union. The ceremony featured speeches by Frank Porter Graham and Harriet Elliott, a UNC-Greensboro political science professor, presidential appointee, and women’s rights advocate. The building now houses the WWCU Radio Station. Which is veteran founded.

Graham Infirmary

Graham infirmary is named in honor of Frank Porter Graham and served as the school infirmary until 2003. It was located between where Bird building is currently and Brown Cafeteria.

Frank Porter Graham was educated at the University of North Carolina and Columbia University. After teaching at the high school and university levels, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War I. He served on numerous federal committees, was an advisor to the Secretary of State, was appointed to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy in 1949, and served as United Nations representative to India and Pakistan. He was president of the University of North Carolina from 1930 until 1949.

1940

Bird Alumni

The Bird Alumni house was built in 1940 and was originally an old farmhouse that the school paid to renovate. This home was the chancellor’s house at the time before becoming the Bird Alumni house. It was the residence of Dean Ernest Bird when he was acting president of WCU during the years of 1947-1949 and 1956-1957 and in 1991, it was opened for guests by Chancellor Myron Coulter. The Alumni building is mainly used for chancellors guests.

1941

Guest House

Guest house is currently unoccupied and used as storage.

1942

Jenkins House

Location unknown, building unknown, All that is known is that it is in the budget report for the building’s owned by WCU.

1946

Boodleville

Above: Boodleville (1946)

Boodleville was once its own town. Constructed of small huts and was a small campus community. They house students to WWII veterans. Boodleville had its own fire department, mayor, and council. Although Boodleville lives in the past; Currently, Residence Hall Albright-Benton, stands in its place.

1952

Reynolds

Built in 1952, named after Alonzo Carlton Reynolds who served as President of Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School from 1912 - 1920.

Reynolds contributions to Western include purchasing a small cart and two Shetland ponies to haul supplies between the school and sylva. Noted for expanding curriculum and improving campus facilities during his time serving as the school’s President.

1953

Hunter Library

Hunter Library
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Hunter Library was named after Hiram T. Hunter, who served as president for 20 years of Western. The library name was dedicated by First Lady of the United States, Lady Bird Johnson. The hunter Library has been renovated many times and became one of the biggest libraries in western area of NC.

1954

Chancellor's Home

The Chancellor’s home was built in 1954 during Western Carolina President Ried’s term. (1947-1949 and 1956-1957) Chancellor's house was built to replace the previous residence of the Campus's leader, Bird Alumni House.

The chancellor’s home was built on the hillcrest beside Robertson and Reynolds for chancellor Ried at the time, so he may always wake up in the morning and overlook the beautiful campus buildings.

1956

Reid

Ried is an academic building for parks and recreation, health education classes, intermural sports games, includes four gymnasiums, a pool, academic classrooms, and offices. Prior to the covid pandemic, it used to have a bowling alley, yet closed its doors and replaced with additional classrooms.

1957

Brown Hall Building

Brown in spring of 1984.

The original Brown Hall was built in 1957, and named after Frank H. Brown, class of 1898, he was a chemistry professor from 1908 until 1950.

Brown Hall Building

Another image of Brown Hall Building

Brown Cafeteria

Brown Cafeteria was built in 1957, and replaced the smaller, family-style dining facility in Moore Hall, which had served students since the 1920s.

2018 Brown Renovations

Brown after being newly renovated in 2018

In 2018, Brown hall was renovated back into a state of the art cafeteria building.

1959

Buchanan

Buchanan Residence Hall is named after Harry E. Buchanan, born in Sylva, North Carolina and grew up in Jackson County. Harry Buchanan became president of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and served as the town Mayor. Harry Buchanan was a major local influencer for his time, particularly to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and his leadership in establishing the outdoor drama, Unto These Hills. At the age of 17, Buchanan also opened a motion picture theatre in Sylva, North Carolina.

1960

Bird Building

Bird Building

Bird building built in 1960, named for former WCU president W. Ernest Bird.

Bird building replaced Graham infirmary as it’s health and wellness building. Caring for the health of students and staff on campus.

1962

Albright Benton

Albright Benton

Ablright/Benton residence hall is named after, Anne P. Albright, Dean of Women, and Alice A. Benton, a professor at Western Carolina University for 37 years.

1965

Camp Building

Camp Building

The Camp Building was constructed in 1965 and was named for Cordelia Camp (1884-1973) who was a professor of education from 1927-1950. The Camp building served as a k-8 Laboratory school for local children and the students of WCU. The school closed and today the Camp building became the University Outreach Center and University Police Department. The side of the Camp building even has it’s own day care center for WCU students and staff.

1966

Helders Residence Hall

Helder Residence Hall was built in 1966 and was named after Horatio A. Helder, who was a member of Western Carolina College’s Board of Trustees. Both Horatio Helder and his wife Adah Clark Helder provided scholarships for students of Haywood County.
Helder Residence Hall was torn down and replaced with the Courtyard dining hall.

Leatherwood Residence Hall

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Built in 1966, Leatherwood Residence Hall was named after Mr. Thurman Leatherwood and his wife Mrs. Nell M. Leatherwood. Both contributed generosity to students from Swain County and other students from the mountain areas in monetary/financial support.

Killian

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Built in 1966, Killian academic building was named in honor of Dr. C.D. Killian (Carl Dan Killian) who served as dean of the College of education and allied professions during his four decades and lead the Education and Psychology department. When Killian was being built, a Cherokee ancestral mound was bulldozed to clear the site. In 2005, the university administration and the Eastern Band Cherokee Tribe formally pledged a commitment to work together and improve education and economic opportunities.

Dodson Cafeteria

Dodson Cafeteria was built in 1966 and was demolished in 2009 to make way for a new dining hall, currently named courtyard dining hall. Dodson cafeteria was at the center of campus activity and was an odd cylinder-shaped building.

Water Treatment Plant

No known photo of the water treatment plant.

The water treatment plant is on the back side of campus and over 50 years old that supplies campus with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. WCU is one of only two schools in North Carolina with their own water treatment plant facility. The plant is equipped with precipitation gauges, temperature gauges to collect weather data, and is a one million gallon per day conventional water treatment facility. Over 400,000 gallons on water per day are being treated and supplied to main campus.

1968

Killian Annex

Killian Annex
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Built in 1968 Killian Annex originally was named Clinic Annex and later renamed Killian Annex. The building was renovated and is home to many student services and administrations.

Print Shop

Print Shop
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The campus main print shop for all of students and staff alike.

U.C. Center (A.K. Hinds – Anthony Keith Hinds)

A.K. Hinds University Center
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Built in 1968, the University Center building is known as U.C., and it is named after Anthony Keith Hinds (1910-1964), former vice president, dean, and professor. The U.C. building had a food court, post office, movie theater, store, video and commuter lounges, Illusions Club, student organization headquarters, meeting rooms and office space. The University Center was renovated in 1997.

1969

Scott Residence Hall

Scott Hall was built in 1969 and named after Mary White Scott, Mother of Governor Robert Scott who served North Carolina from 1969-1970. The residence hall served as a women’s dorm during it’s time and later was demolished.

1970

EJ Whitemire Stadium

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Built in 1974, the stadium is named after E.J. Whitmire who served WCU for most of his adult career. He served on the Board of Trustee’s from 1949-1972. Bob waters field, named after Robert Lee Waters, who served for many years with WCU and the university’s head football coach for 20 years, and athletic director for 15 years. He brought many victories to WCU on and off the field. Forever honoring both men for this victories and service to WCU with Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

1971

Harrill Residence Hall

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Harrill Residence Hall was built in 1971 and named after W.B. Harrill, William Bunyan Harrill. William Harrill worked at WCU from 1947-1966 as director of public relations, director of the summer school, professor of education, and served twice as the acting dean of college of education.

1972

Walker Residence Hall

Walker Residence Hall
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Walker Residence Hall was built in 1972, named after Edyth Walker, and held the women’s dormitory. Walker Residence Hall later demolished.

1974

Jordan-Phillips House

Jordan-Phillips House
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1976

Skeet Shooting Range

Unknown location, but this storage building and or location is within the WCU budget report

1977

Natural Sciences Building

Natural Sciences Building
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The natural science building was built in 1977 and at the time was fully equipped and the state of the art. Over the years, it became outdated and in need of a rehaul. It was replaced with the newly constructed science building Apodaca.

1978

Coulter

Coulter
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The Music and English Building was completed in 1978. In 1994 it was renamed for Myron Coulter, who served as Chancellor from 1984-1994, and is now known as the Myron L. Coulter Building.

1979

HFR (Harold F. Robinson)

Harold F. Robinson Building
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The HFR Building built in 1979 and named after Harold F. Robinson who served as chancellor of WCU from 1974-1984. HFR holds the administration of WCU.

1983

Bookstore

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1986

Liston B. Ramsey Center (Liston B. Ramsey)

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The Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center was completed in 1986, Named After Liston B. Ramsey, of Madison County politician, who served as Speaker of North Carolina House of Representatives for four-year term in 1981-1989.

1989

Alumni Tower

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The tower was built in 1989, The bell was originally on the tower on the old Madison building. It was removed and placed in the center of campus social courtyard area in the Alumni Tower. The bell is inscribed “State Normal Department, Cullowhee High School, N.C. Ring out the false, ring the true.”

1990

Center of Applied Technology = CAT

The Center of Applied Technology building was built in 1990 and is an academic building for Rapid Product Development, working with regional industry and entrepreneurs on product research and development, lean manufacturing improvements, and more. Also, CAT Studios is in the Center of Applied Technology building, which includes a full-scale broadcast recording studio used by our communication, film and television, and electronic music programs as well as area broadcasting entities.

2004

The Village

The Village townhouse condo style buildings were built in 2004.

2005

Bardo

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Bardo performing art hall was built in 2005 and named in honor of chancellor John Bardo of 1984. Bardo consists of a performance hall, studio theatre, WCU’s fine arts museum, and the center of the arts in western North Carolina.

2008

Campus Recreation Center

The Campus Recreation Center is a stand-alone facility built in 2008 and it’s the heart of the campus and features its own indoor rock-climbing wall, indoor jogging/walking track, multiple purpose courts, exercise studios, meeting rooms, classrooms, offices, and locker rooms.

2009

Balsam Residence Hall

Balsam Residence Hall
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Balsam residence hall was built in 2009 after the demolition of Leatherwood Residence Hall. It was named after the Great Balsam Mountain area.

2010

Blue Ridge Residence Hall

Blue Ridege Residence Hall
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Built in 2010 and named after the Blue ridge mountain area. Built over the prior residential building leatherwood.

2012

Health and Human Sciences Building (HHS)

Health and Human Sciences Building (HHS)
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Built in 2012, the Health and Human services building is a state of the are designed and constructed to specifically meet the educational needs of the 21st century training healthcare professions. Equipped with high tech classrooms and lab space for a wide range of fields.

2016

Noble Hall (Noble Nine)

Noble Hall
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Noble residence hall was constructed in 2016 after a fire spread and destroyed the prior establishments in 2014. Noble residence hall was named after the Noble Nine, the nine founders of Western Carolina University. Currently, on the main level of Noble Hall you will find a Chili’s restaurant, convenience store, a brewery, and other establishments to the campus society. While upstairs serve as dormitories for students. The prior structure(s) that were located where Noble Hall stands today, consisted of The Town House Restaurant, U.S. Post Office, a barbershop, and a Laundromat. At the time, The Townhouse Restaurant was a social hotspot that sold sandwiches. Ironically, Subway is presently located in the same spot as this restaurant from back in 1949 when it first opened.

The Townhouse Restaurant

The Townhouse Restaurant
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The Townhouse Restaurant opened in 1949 and was named after the old “Townhouse Farm” that previously occupied the site, owned by David Rogers until his passing in 1924. WCU then operated the farm, complete with a dairy, until it was discontinued in 1947.

The Post Office

The Post Office
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The U.S. Post office that was a prior structure before Noble Hall

2019

Allen Residence Hall

Allen Residence Hall was built in 2019 and named in honor of WCC(WCU) first African American student to attend/enroll, Levern Hamlin Allen. She arrived at Western Carolina College in 1957, three years after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Levern Allen stated she choose WCC at the time, because during admissions, they didn’t require a photo I.D. and soon became in WCU history as the first African American to enroll and attend school at WCC(WCU).

2022

Apodaca (Tom Apodaca; Thomas Michael Apodaca)

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Newly built in 2022 was Apodaca Science building, named after Thomas M. “Tom” Apodaca. Tom Apodaca graduated at WCU in 1980 and served on the Board of Trustee’s from 1997-2002, when he was elected for District 48 to the North Carolina Senate

Black Rock Residence Hall (Black Rock Mountain)

Black Rock was named after Blackrock Mountain
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Water Rock Residence Hall, Black Rock Residence Hall, Shining Rock Residence Hall, were built in 2022 and are currently freshmen dorms, built to replace the residence halls, Scott, and Walker dormitories. The new residences bring a whole new face lift when entering onto WCU campus.

Water Rock Residence Hall (Water Rock Knob)

Water Rock was named after Waterrock Knob.

Shining Rock Residence Hall (Shining Rock Mountain)

Shining Rock was named after Shining Rock Mountain, part of the Shining Rock Wilderness.

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The End