Mars Hill in Madison County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
McConnell Hall
1924
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023
1. McConnell Hall Marker
Asheville businessman
Mars Hill College Trustee, 1909-1936
Building Committee, 1914-1924
Smith and Carrier, Architects
(Richard Sharp Smith,
Chief Architect of Biltmore House)
Dr. Robert Lee Moore, President
Building Usage
Gymnasium, 1924-1965
Offices and classrooms, 1924-
Swimming pool, 1932-1952
Handball courts, 1952-1965
Department of Education, 1972-1996
The Loft, 1968-
Bailey Mountain Cloggers Dance Center, 1996-
National Register of Historic Places
September 12, 2006
Erected by Mars Hill University.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 35° 49.632′ N, 82° 33.048′ W. Marker is in Mars Hill, North Carolina, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from Bailey Street west of Women's Hill Drive, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in the Mars Hill University quad. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 113 Bailey St, Mars Hill NC 28754, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
this page online
Regarding McConnell Hall. Excerpt from the National Register nomination for the Mars Hill College Historic District, of which McConnell Hall is a contributing building:
The initiative leading to the construction of this imposing Classical Revival-style brick building began with the appointment of a gymnasium committee at the 7 May 1914 meeting of the college trustees. William C. McConnell, J. M. Stoner, and R. S. Gibbs were named to the committee; however, their efforts did not advance until 1919 when Mr. McConnell (1863-1937), a prominent Asheville businessman, gave $1,000 toward the project. Even so, four years would pass until August 1923 when the Asheville architectural firm of Smith & Carrier produced the plans for the building. Comprising ten sheets, the originaldrawings survive in the collection of the Asheville Art Museum. The building was built according to the plans and completed in 1924 except for the swimming pool that does not appear to have been finished until about 1932. On 8 January 1925 the trustees approved a motion to name the building in honor of Mr. McConnell and it has carried his name to the present.Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 20232. McConnell Hall Marker
Also see . . .
1. Mars Hill College Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which was listed in 2006. (National Archives) (Submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. McConnell Gymnasium. Prior to McConnell, Mars Hill designated a wing of the old auditorium to serve as a gymnasium for students and faculty. (Patrick Cash, Clio: Your Guide to History, posted March 7, 2017) (Submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
