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. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Railroad Company Sees Potential For A Town Among The Slash Pines (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); The Blanton House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Town Of Ashland Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blackwell House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rev. Alexander G. Brown D.D. (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Ashland (approx. half a mile 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 945 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

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