On Nov. 13, 1900, Elizabethtown College opened its doors to its first six students, known as the “Faithful Six.” Approximately 100 people gathered in the Heisey Building on the corner of South Market and Bainbridge Streets in Elizabethtown to hear addresses from representatives of the Board of Trustees, faculty members, citizens of Elizabethtown, and the students.
The home of Joseph H. Rider, where classes were held after the first week at the Heisey Building. Classes were held at Rider’s home until the completion of Alpha Hall.
Alpha Hall, originally intended to be completed in time for the opening day, was still unfinished. Classes were supposed to be held at the home of Joseph H. Rider, one of the College’s founders and for whom Etown’s Rider Memorial Hall would eventually be named, on Washington Street, but the house wasn’t yet ready. Amid fears that the College would have to delay its opening, acting president George N. Falkenstein decided to rent the Heisey Building for Etown’s first temporary home.
Formal opening exercises started at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13. One speaker representing each of the parties involved in the College’s creation spoke. S.R. Zug began the day with prayer, while founder S.H. Hertzler ended the dedication with a call to continue to address the College’s needs in its first year of courses, with the hope to continue the College well into the future.
Formal opening exercises started at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13, and the following day marked the first day of class recitations. After a week, classes moved to the Rider home until Alpha Hall’s completion in March 1901.
The fall term lasted from Nov. 13 to Dec. 24, and five faculty members taught a variety of classes including psychology, civil government, mathematics, elocution, and English. Tuition in any regular course was $1 per week and boarding in a College building was $2.50 per week.
Throughout Elizabethtown College’s 125th anniversary year, follow along as we share 125 compelling stories about the College’s defining moments, alumni stories, and fun facts since our founding in 1899 at etown.edu.