Of great interest to the students, perhaps, is the replacing of
Watts Dormitory by a new and complete building, with accommodations for 100
students, twice as many as were provided by the dormitory that was destroyed
on February 25th.
In the 19th Century , there were numerous wells scattered across the Davidson College Campus and the Town of Davidson. By the beginning of the 21st century, the remains of only one well was still visible; it had became known as the “Well.” Located just north-east of the Philanthropic Hall, the Well’s original structure was a wooden lattice over a bucket and windlass.
Beginning in 1896, the Freshman Handbook was printed and designed by the Y.M.C.A of Davidson College. It contained all “valuable” information needed by the new freshmen including descriptions of the student organizations, academic calendars, sports informaton and class yells. In addition, it offered tips on anything from the town of Davidson train schedules to what time the mail arrived. Renamed the Wildcat Handbook in 1926, it remained the responsibility of the YMCA until 1961 when the Publications Board took over. Beginning with 1961-1962 (class of 1965), the handbook included photographs of the incoming students.
(b.1795 d. 1882) Reverend Samuel Williamson, D.D. came to Davidson in 1839, joining the faculty as professor of mathematics and natural philosophy. Having been an outstanding scholar at the University of South Carolina and South Carolina College, Williamson became minister before accepting the Davidson professorship. Within two years of serving the college as faculty member, Williamson was elected president.
Admiring Davidson as an institution devoted to Presbyterianism, moral character, and academic primacy, Joseph Ruggles Wilson deemed Davidson a perfect fit for his son Woodrow, stating, “surely if Davidson be not worthy of public favor, then no college is” (Rives). Woodrow Wilson came to Davidson as a freshman in 1873, but would stay for only one year before he became ill, took a year off from college, and afterwards enrolled at Princeton University. Despite his brief tenure, Wilson spoke affectionately of his alma mater while President, and to this day he remains Davidson’s most famous alum.
