Page 26 - 1926 February - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 189

HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN

SOUTHWESTERN WAS definitely incorporated as Southwestern
Presbyterian University i n 1875, but it is necessary to go
back to ante-bellum days in order to trace the history of the
property which now forms part of the equipment.

I n 1848 the Masonic Grand Lodge of the state of Tennessee
determined, in connection with the Masonic Fraternity of Mont-
gomery county, to establish a first-class institution of learning
in Clarksville. Funds were obtained, and many other persons,
not members of the Fraternity, made generous gifts to aid in this
enterprise.

A View of Southwestern's Campus

The institution was to be known as Montgomery Masonic
College, and the building erected is the building now known as
"The Castle." I n 1849, however, before the building was com-
pleted, the Grand Lodge of Tennessee directed the appropria-
tions made f o r the support of the college into an entirely differ-
ent channel. The support of the institution, therefore, fell upon
the Lodges of Montgomery county, and the sum of six thousand