Athens in Athens County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio University 1915 Alumni Gateway

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 4, 2009

1. Ohio University 1915 Alumni Gateway Marker

Inscription. The Ohio University Alumni Gate was built with funds contributed by many alumni, with the original intent of honoring the class of 1815, which was the first graduating class. The largest contribution, however, came from Edward C. Berry, a black man who owned Athens' largest and grandest hotel—the Hotel Berry on North Court Street. He wanted to honor John Newton Templeton, the first black graduate and a member of the class of 1828. Other major contributions came from Mary Boise Hurt of Indianapolis, who contributed in honor of her father, Augustin Boyce, class of 1869, and from the grandchildren of Thomas Ewing, the first graduate of Ohio University in 1815.

Erected by Ohio University Alumni and Friends.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 39° 19.643′ N, 82° 6.068′ W. Marker is in Athens, Ohio, in Athens County. It is at the intersection of Union Street and Court Street, on the right when traveling east on Union Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athens OH 45701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Hocking Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ohio University (a few steps from this marker); Student Voices

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Athens County Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial of the Northwest Ordinance (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Elms (about 400 feet away); Ohio University's Distinguished Visitors (about 500 feet away); Manasseh Cutler Hall (about 500 feet away); Memorial Auditorium (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Kissing Circle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Ohio University 1915 Alumni Gateway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 4, 2009

2. Ohio University 1915 Alumni Gateway

Looking southeast into college green. The post marker is behind the gates' leftmost column.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 24, 2021

3. Ohio University 1915 Alumni Gateway Marker

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 4, 2009

4. Ohio University 1915 Alumni Gateway Marker

Presented by the Ohio University Alumni commemorating the Centennial Anniversary of the first graduation in the “Old Northwest” 1815

The Alumni Gateway is front and center, with the S&S monument to the left. image. Click for full size.

circa 1930

5. The Alumni Gateway is front and center, with the S&S monument to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,999 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on January 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on January 22, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on October 29, 2015. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.