ASHLAND — In 1878, the dream of having a college in Ashland finally became a reality when a meeting was held at the Maple Grove Church, located four miles north of Ashland.
It was decided delegates would present the idea to the estimated 100,000 members of the Brethren Church that lived mostly in Ashland and Wayne Counties and solicit funds to build the college. About a week later, a public meeting was held in Ashland’s Town Hall to challenge local townspeople to raise $10,000 to build it.
Competitors to build the college were located in Louisville, Canton, Akron and Danville but Ashland established itself as a front runner.
In a few days, the funds were pledged. Among those who promised funds were Judge William Osborn, Jacob Cahn, a clothier, J. O. Jennings, president of the First National Bank, B. F. Nelson and L. J. Sprengle, who were both editors of the town’s two newspapers. Brethren leaders also contacted all the Brethren churches and they were welcome contributors.
The site selected for the college was 28 acres of pastureland south of town “on the hill.” With funds in hand, the trustees entered into contracts with various businesses to start the work. The foundation was dug for $45, the bricks built on-site for the walls were $7.25 per 1,000 and the stonework was completed at $2.87 per perch.
As the building was going up, the faculty was selected and several students had enrolled. Founder’s Hall opened on Sept. 17, 1879 as scheduled but the building was not quite complete. The 75 students and eight faculty members enjoyed classroom space as well as a curtained off sleeping quarters on the third floor and cooking facilities in the basement. Classes were offered in Greek, Latin, French, German, math, science, music and business.
The first class of four men graduated from Ashland College in 1881. Samuel Yeater went on to become an M.D. and preacher and F. M. Plank later became a Medina County Probate Judge and member of the Ohio legislature. There are no records to indicate what happened in the futures of H. F. Hixson and Elliot D. Wigton, who were the other two graduates.
In 1879, work started on Allen Hall which became the boarding hall. At first, girls lived in the first floor rooms, and boys occupied the other two floors. After some issues with that arrangement, partitions were added which divided the building so girls occupied the three floors of the front and the boys used the back three floors.
A furnished room was $2.00 per week but if it had carpet, it was 10 cents more a week with light and fuel costing extra. A furnished room had a stove, table, washstand, bed stand, chairs, wash-bowl, pitcher and towels and linens. Water was supplied by a well, cistern and a hydrant and there were separate outhouses for the women and men. Later, more modern amenities were added.
Before Allen Hall was completed, the school found itself in financial difficulties due to debt that reached $41,000. There was also a deep divide occurring among the conservatives and progressives in the Brethren Church.
In the early 1880’s the annual convention held in Ashland was so large that residents rented rooms to visitors and the grounds became a “tent city” with services available such as a post office and news stand.
Interestingly enough the controversy had a lot to do with hats vs. bonnets. Progressives wanted hats and conservatives wanted bonnets to be worn by women. The conservative men wanted to continue wearing frocked coats with hooks and eyes. Progressive women had started wearing lipstick.
Some regarded the college as mainly a seminary but others did not because the charter stated it was a liberal arts college. The trustees of the college had to declare bankruptcy and much of the land was sold off and later bought back. The school was closed in 1896 until 1898.
The resurrection of Ashland College started in the fall of 1898 when the Rev. J. Allen Miller, D.D. and his wife, Clara Worst Miller, fell to their knees on the grounds covered with weeds, blackberry bushes and Baldwin apple trees and “pledged their lives to the enrichment of youth and asking God’s blessing upon their efforts.”
Reverence Miller served as president of the college from 1899 to 1906. The Millers sought out more educated professors, restored the grounds, and introduced evening classes for those who worked and needed to obtain higher education in the evenings.
Fundraisers continued over the years and having an SATC unit to train on campus during WWI was controversial among Brethrens but profitable. Eventually more buildings were built and homes donated to the college with the help of donors.
In October 1952, Founder’s Hall burned down and with the help of insurance and another fund raising campaign, a new Founder’s Hall was built and dedicated in 1954. Over the 20 th century, many other buildings were razed and built to expand the college including the Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs which was dedicated by Ronald Reagan on May 9, 1983.
Dancing was banned at Ashland College until after WWII (other than the May Pole dance) but roller skating was permitted and was a very popular activity. Parties were held at the Ashland Armory on East Main Street for many years. In 1965, the Count Basie Orchestra played at Redwood Dining Hall.
The large rock referred to as “The Blarney Stone” was delivered to the northeast corner of Founder’s Hall by a farmer. In 1919, Frank Lambert from the Class of 1919, wrote the original alma mater titled “Old College Home.” Later in 1938, June Ditmer wrote the words and music for “Remember” and it became a more modern alma mater.
In 1928, there was a contest to create a nickname and mascot to recognize the athletic teams. The name “Purple Titans” was selected but it is unknown how the colors of purple and gold were chosen.
Then in 1933, Paul Metzler was credited with changing the name to the “Purple Eagles” or just plain “Eagles.” The first four foot “eagle” was named Louise and was placed in front of Founder’s Hall in 1941.
Of course, there have been many eagles placed around the campus over the years. Many have been the subjects of college pranks and thefts or disappearances.
Ashland College was officially renamed Ashland University on May 12, 1989 due to the diversity of education offered. There are currently about 6,600 students. The main campus includes about 40 buildings over 135 acres. The Ashland Theological Seminary (a graduate division of Ashland University) was started in 1906 when Rev. Miller left his position as college president to become dean of the theological department.
The university’s charter and constitution specified a requirement stating training of people suitable “for the ministry of the gospel shall always be sacredly regarded as one of the main objects of this institution.” They have about 336 students and have educated people from over 70 different denominations and para-church organizations.
The university has also become a hub for American history, government, politics, and entertainment.
