Historical Campus Sites

Alumni Plaza

Alumni Plaza

Established 2006

The Alumni Plaza was established as a permanent tribute to those whose paths led them to and through Northwestern. Contributions from alumni and friends made it possible to provide this commemorative area for men and women whose lives have been touched and enriched by this great university.

Randall J. Webb, President

NSU Alumni Association

NSU Foundation

Dedicated October 27, 2006

Conception: William E. Brent | Design: Larry Richards AIA/IA

Memory of Rebel Hall

DEDICATED TO MEMORY OF REBEL HALL

So warmly remembered by its residents, who enjoyed such carefree days and lasting friendships.

As Others read this plaque, may they also be reminded that upon this location the legacy of Northwestern was passed on to those that follow

October 22, 1994

Centennial Plaque

Bronze place dedicated on October 6,1984 as part of the Centennial Celebration of Northwestern State University. The base was constructed of bricks from the Caldwell Hall, the oldest building on the campus when it burned in 1982. The base was donated by the Interfraternity Council and is noted on an attached plaque.

THE CENTENNIAL PLAQUE

1884-1984

THE CENTENNIAL OF NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY WAS COMMEMORATED BY THE INSTALLATION OF THIS PLAQUE ON OCTOBER 6, 1984, THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHARTERING OF THE INSTITUTION

THE BASE IS CONSTRUCTED OF BRICKS FROM CALDWELL HALL, BUILT IN 1906, WHICH AT THE TIME OF ITS DESTRUCTION BY FIRE IN 1982 WAS THE OLDEST BUILDING ON CAMPUS.

Plaque on base reads:

BASE PRESENTED BY

1984

INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL

Sibley Drive Plaque

Plaque dedicated in 1947 naming Sibley Drive in honor of Sam J. Sibley.

SIBLEY DRIVE

HONORING SAM J. SIBLEY WHO SERVED NORTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA THROUGH THE YEARS

1920 – 1947

Freedom Tree

Plaque dedicated during the Vietnam War to prisoners of war and missing in action and placed at the base of a live oak on the campus.

THE FREEDOM TREE

WITH THE VISION OF UNIVERSAL FREEDOM FOR ALL MANKIND

THIS TREE IS DEDICATED TO THE POW/ MIA’S OF LOUISIANA

AND ALL PRISONERS OF WAR AND MISSING IN ACTION.

1973

Normal Hill Plaque

Poem written by Dr. Ralph Ropp in 1940 about Normal Hill, the original site of Louisiana State Normal School, later to become Northwestern State University.

OLD NORMAL HILL

There’s a long winding road we can go
On the way up to old Normal Hill
A road that was crowded long ago
There are thousands who follow it still.

There’s a banner of purple and white
We proudly hold up above
There’s a field where the brave Demons fight
To glorify something they love.

There’s a Potpourri filled with the faces
Of friends who have come and gone
There are memories of dear old places
That linger as the years roll on.

Then here’s to the Purple and White
And here’s to the Demons so true
May the years ever brighten the light
On these memories for me and for you.

Written in 1940 by Dr. Ralph L. Ropp.
Professor English and Speech; Debate Coach.
1926-1949

The Columns

The columns were once part of the Bullard Mansion, built in 1832 and demolished in 1904. The Bullard Mansion was the first building at the State Normal School, and the three standing columns that commemorate it have been adopted as the official symbol of Northwestern State University.

THE COLUMNS

REMNANTS OF THE BULLARD MANSION. AS EARLY AS 1856 THE BUILDING WAS USED AS A CONVENT. SINCE 1884 TRADITIONAL TO NORTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE.

PRESENTED BY CLASS OF 1950-51

St. Denis Homesite

Plaque mounted on rock at the top of Normal Hill. The site was on the right front side of Caldwell Hall, built in 1905 and destroyed by fire in 1982.

SITE OF THE HOME OF ST. DENIS

1722

MARKED BY SUMMER CLASS

1928

During the early days of the settlement of the United States, Louisiana consisted of the land between Canada and Mexico, bounded on the east by Carolina.

The French, who then owned Louisiana, had heard that the Spaniards from Mexico intended on taking possession of this region. To prevent Spanish interference, in 1714 Lamothe Cadillac, governor of Louisiana, sent Juchereau de St. Denis, a dashing adventurer, with a band of Canadian Indians, to place a garrison at Natchitoches. The was the first permanent settlement within the present limits of Louisiana.

St. Denis, who had not yet satisfied his longings for risk and daring, set out with a few companions into Mexico to see the possibilities of development of trade with that province. Spanish authorities had refused to allow French agents to enter Mexico; consequently, St. Denis was seized and sent to Mexico City and finally allowed to return to Mobile, after two years’ absence.

On a map of Natchitoches, the old French post was noted with a spot marked “habitation.” This spot corresponds almost exactly to the location found by surveyors who drew lines along the river and in Natchitoches to determine the site of St. Denis’ home. This was considered sufficient proof, and a rock was placed on the spot under the arbor in front of Caldwell Hall to mark the place where once lived the man who led such an adventurous life; who, in an effort to protect his country’s interests, established a post, the oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase. We are proud of the rock that reminds us of St. Denis, founder of Natchitoches.

Potpourri — 1929