Spotlight: Bell Hall’s colorful past
Most Georgia College students are familiar with Bell Hall as the “old dormitory” and the building that houses the Honors Residential Learning Community. Many students are unaware of the old building’s interesting past.
Bell Hall was constructed in 1928, during President Beeson’s administration, and named for Miller S. Bell, mayor of Milledgeville from 1908 to 1924. Bell was also a member of Georgia College’s board of directors, and a member of the Board of Regents.
Bell Hall resides on what used to be known as “Penitentiary Square”, and during Georgia College’s days as the Georgia State College for Women, Bell Hall was adjoined on its eastern side by the Baldwin County Jail.
The young women residing in the dormitory were often awakened at night by the cries of the inmates of the jail, and sometimes even distracted during classes by the same noise.
GSCW eventually purchased the jail, which was demolished in the 1930s and replaced by a parking lot. A new jail materialized soon after on West Montgomery Street, not much farther away, but at least it was no longer directly adjoining campus.
Posted by Hilary Thompson
on Mar 3 2011. Filed under Features, Spotlight.
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