Ashland in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Randolph-Macon College

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008

1. Randolph-Macon College Marker

Inscription. Chartered in 1830 in Boydton, this institution is the oldest Methodist-affiliated college in continuous operation in the United States. It is named for statesmen John Randolph of Virginia and Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina. The college was moved to Ashland in 1868 due to post-Civil War financial difficulties. Chi Beta Phi, a national honorary science fraternity, was founded here in 1916. In the 1890s, the college’s administration founded Randolph-Macon Academy (Front Royal) and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (Lynchburg). The Ashland campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1979.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number I-10a.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 37° 45.539′ N, 77° 28.869′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is at the intersection of England Street (Virginia Route 54) and Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling west on England Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland VA 23005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Secretariat: America's Super Horse and Virginia's Pride (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Company Sees Potential For A Town Among The Slash Pines (within shouting distance of this marker); Porters: the Unsung Heroes of Rail Travel (within shouting distance of this marker); Ashland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Downtown Business Growth Fuels Ashland Expansion (about 300 feet away); Bringing up the Rear (about 300 feet away); Railroad Lays Track from Richmond to Washington (about 400 feet away); Electric Train Generates Electricity for Ashland (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashland.

Also see . . . History of the College. “The college was moved to Ashland, Virginia, in 1868 after the railroads to Boydton were destroyed during the Civil War. The move to Ashland challenged the college's spirit and stimulated new growth. The students themselves raised most of the funds for the first major building constructed on the new campus — Washington and Franklin Hall, a national historic landmark that was completely renovated in 1987. In this century, Randolph-Macon’s campus has grown to more than 60 major buildings on 105 acres.” (Submitted on June 7, 2008.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008

2. Randolph-Macon College Marker

Randolph-Macon College, Corner of College St., & Railroad Ave. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008

3. Randolph-Macon College, Corner of College St., & Railroad Ave.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,263 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. More photos of the College campus • Can you help?