University of Alabama - History of the Club
Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the University Club
The University Club, a classic Greek Revival style structure is an historic aspect of Tuscaloosa life. In March, 1819, the land on which the University Club now stands was reserved by the Congress of the United States as part of a donation to endow "a seminary of learning" for the state of Alabama. By December of that year, the trustees of the University had sold this land to finance the building of the University. The purchaser was R. H. Walker, and a succession of owners followed. Walker sold the property to Hobson Owen, who in January, 1834, sold it to James H. Dearing, a steamboat captain and member of the Alabama Legislature. Dearing spent $14,000 to erect, reputedly under the direction of architect William Nichols, the magnificent structure that continues to maintain its position of imposing authority on University Boulevard. The house had the same general appearance it has today, although it had no sun porch on the south side, and in the center of the roof there was a square platform from which the smoke of the river boats could be seen as they approached the town bringing supplies from Mobile. The kitchen stood on the north side, separate from the house but connected by a covered walk to the north porch.
The Dearings lived only two years in this beautifully planned home because students from the University helped themselves to their poultry and fruit and trampled Mr. Dearing's cherished flowers. Dearing noted in a letter to the editor of the local paper that "night after night and week after week . . .companies of student came by . . . singing songs, most obscene, and using language that was most disgraceful and offensive to decency."
To further exacerbate the situation, Dearing house became involved in a controversy concerning a woman servant whom students spirited from his house to the University. This controversy ultimately erupted in a near riot on the University campus when Dearing arrived to search for the young woman. In retaliation for Mr. Dearing's part in this episode, the students attacked his home and destroyed Dearing's front gate. Students then raided his hen house, where he and the students exchanged gun shots. In the exchange of fire, one of the students–ironically the son of a friend of his–was injured. As a result, Dearing built a new home to the south and away from the main line of traffic between the University and town. In 1836, Dearing sold his original home to Richard H. Lewis for $14,500.
Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the University Club
The University Club, a classic Greek Revival style structure is an historic aspect of Tuscaloosa life. In March, 1819, the land on which the University Club now stands was reserved by the Congress of the United States as part of a donation to endow "a seminary of learning" for the state of Alabama. By December of that year, the trustees of the University had sold this land to finance the building of the University. The purchaser was R. H. Walker, and a succession of owners followed. Walker sold the property to Hobson Owen, who in January, 1834, sold it to James H. Dearing, a steamboat captain and member of the Alabama Legislature. Dearing spent $14,000 to erect, reputedly under the direction of architect William Nichols, the magnificent structure that continues to maintain its position of imposing authority on University Boulevard. The house had the same general appearance it has today, although it had no sun porch on the south side, and in the center of the roof there was a square platform from which the smoke of the river boats could be seen as they approached the town bringing supplies from Mobile. The kitchen stood on the north side, separate from the house but connected by a covered walk to the north porch.
The Dearings lived only two years in this beautifully planned home because students from the University helped themselves to their poultry and fruit and trampled Mr. Dearing's cherished flowers. Dearing noted in a letter to the editor of the local paper that "night after night and week after week . . .companies of student came by . . . singing songs, most obscene, and using language that was most disgraceful and offensive to decency."
To further exacerbate the situation, Dearing house became involved in a controversy concerning a woman servant whom students spirited from his house to the University. This controversy ultimately erupted in a near riot on the University campus when Dearing arrived to search for the young woman. In retaliation for Mr. Dearing's part in this episode, the students attacked his home and destroyed Dearing's front gate. Students then raided his hen house, where he and the students exchanged gun shots. In the exchange of fire, one of the students–ironically the son of a friend of his–was injured. As a result, Dearing built a new home to the south and away from the main line of traffic between the University and town. In 1836, Dearing sold his original home to Richard H. Lewis for $14,500.
University of Alabama - History of the Club
Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the University Club
The University Club, a classic Greek Revival style structure is an historic aspect of Tuscaloosa life. In March, 1819, the land on which the University Club now stands was reserved by the Congress of the United States as part of a donation to endow "a seminary of learning" for the state of Alabama. By December of that year, the trustees of the University had sold this land to finance the building of the University. The purchaser was R. H. Walker, and a succession of owners followed. Walker sold the property to Hobson Owen, who in January, 1834, sold it to James H. Dearing, a steamboat captain and member of the Alabama Legislature. Dearing spent $14,000 to erect, reputedly under the direction of architect William Nichols, the magnificent structure that continues to maintain its position of imposing authority on University Boulevard. The house had the same general appearance it has today, although it had no sun porch on the south side, and in the center of the roof there was a square platform from which the smoke of the river boats could be seen as they approached the town bringing supplies from Mobile. The kitchen stood on the north side, separate from the house but connected by a covered walk to the north porch.
The Dearings lived only two years in this beautifully planned home because students from the University helped themselves to their poultry and fruit and trampled Mr. Dearing's cherished flowers. Dearing noted in a letter to the editor of the local paper that "night after night and week after week . . .companies of student came by . . . singing songs, most obscene, and using language that was most disgraceful and offensive to decency."
To further exacerbate the situation, Dearing house became involved in a controversy concerning a woman servant whom students spirited from his house to the University. This controversy ultimately erupted in a near riot on the University campus when Dearing arrived to search for the young woman. In retaliation for Mr. Dearing's part in this episode, the students attacked his home and destroyed Dearing's front gate. Students then raided his hen house, where he and the students exchanged gun shots. In the exchange of fire, one of the students–ironically the son of a friend of his–was injured. As a result, Dearing built a new home to the south and away from the main line of traffic between the University and town. In 1836, Dearing sold his original home to Richard H. Lewis for $14,500.
Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the University Club
The University Club, a classic Greek Revival style structure is an historic aspect of Tuscaloosa life. In March, 1819, the land on which the University Club now stands was reserved by the Congress of the United States as part of a donation to endow "a seminary of learning" for the state of Alabama. By December of that year, the trustees of the University had sold this land to finance the building of the University. The purchaser was R. H. Walker, and a succession of owners followed. Walker sold the property to Hobson Owen, who in January, 1834, sold it to James H. Dearing, a steamboat captain and member of the Alabama Legislature. Dearing spent $14,000 to erect, reputedly under the direction of architect William Nichols, the magnificent structure that continues to maintain its position of imposing authority on University Boulevard. The house had the same general appearance it has today, although it had no sun porch on the south side, and in the center of the roof there was a square platform from which the smoke of the river boats could be seen as they approached the town bringing supplies from Mobile. The kitchen stood on the north side, separate from the house but connected by a covered walk to the north porch.
The Dearings lived only two years in this beautifully planned home because students from the University helped themselves to their poultry and fruit and trampled Mr. Dearing's cherished flowers. Dearing noted in a letter to the editor of the local paper that "night after night and week after week . . .companies of student came by . . . singing songs, most obscene, and using language that was most disgraceful and offensive to decency."
To further exacerbate the situation, Dearing house became involved in a controversy concerning a woman servant whom students spirited from his house to the University. This controversy ultimately erupted in a near riot on the University campus when Dearing arrived to search for the young woman. In retaliation for Mr. Dearing's part in this episode, the students attacked his home and destroyed Dearing's front gate. Students then raided his hen house, where he and the students exchanged gun shots. In the exchange of fire, one of the students–ironically the son of a friend of his–was injured. As a result, Dearing built a new home to the south and away from the main line of traffic between the University and town. In 1836, Dearing sold his original home to Richard H. Lewis for $14,500.
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