Southern University Baton Rouge campus still uses historic buildings on National Register
By Allison Bruhl,
2024-09-03
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Some historic buildings on Southern University’s Baton Rouge campus are still being used today.
The National Register of Historic Places Registration Form said the university’s historic district has early 20th-century buildings on seven acres. Six of the seven buildings were determined to qualify for the registration because they are over 50 years old and have enough historic integrity.
The seven recognized buildings are Landry/Riverside Hall, the Industrial Building for Girls (McNair Hall), the Machine Shop, the Industrial Building for Boys (Mechanical Arts Buildings and the Industrial Arts Building), Martin L. Harvey Auditorium, the President’s House and the Southern University Archives Building.
According to the registration form, the Southern University Historic District has state-level significance and tells the story of the development of one of Louisiana’s HBCUs and the approach taken in the late 19th to early 20th century to educate Black residents.
Documents said a campaign to move Southern’s New Orleans campus started around 1910. Then Louisiana Gov. Luther E. Hall signed an act authorizing the move in July 1912.
“However, a court case seeking to halt the relocation delayed its implementation for a year. Uncertain of the future, officials at the New Orleans campus ceased to offer classes after the June 1913 commencement ceremony,” documents said.
The court ruled in favor of the relocation, and Joseph S. Clark was hired as the university’s president.
According to documents, 26 sites in Louisiana were considered for the campus location but when Clark and the board proposed a place, citizens would protest.
Reasoning from opponents, according to documents, included a supposed negative impact on nearby property values but some said outright that they were against the higher education of Black people.
The Louisiana state superintendent approved the Scotlandville site. Documents said existing buildings on the property, including over 10 dilapidated plantation cabins and a barn, were found. Temporary buildings were constructed ahead of the campus’ March 9, 1914 opening date, and 70 students were enrolled.
This cottage is today recognized as The Archives and Information Center. (Southern University Archives)
Another image of the cottage today recognized as The Archives and Information Center. (Southern University Archives)
The Martin L. Harvey Chapel and the Science Building were both completed in 1928. The M.L. Harvey Chapel/Auditorium is named after Martin L. Harvey, Southern University’s Dean of Students. He served as Dean of Student Affairs for 32 years. Martin L. Harvey Auditorium is one of the surviving 1920s building and was constructed by an African American contracting firm of Connors, Brandt, & Bell, who also built the adjoining Science Building (now demolished). (Southern University Archives)
Constructed in 1922. In 1959 the building was named the Mechanical Arts Building and in 1974 it was renamed the ROTC Building. (Southern University Archives)
The Home Economics Building was completed in 1920. It later served as the Commerce Building. It has been renamed the Ronald E. McNair Hall and currently houses the NROTC. The exterior of the Home Economics Building is identical to the Mechanical Arts Building, completed one year later. The exterior of McNair Hall has not been substantially modified. (Southern University Archives)
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