Photo in the Johnson City Power Board lobby

(as of 5/3/2016)

A Brief History of ETSU, Gilbreath Hall, and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

(in commemoration of the 90^th anniversary of the department)

A rambling seminar presented by

Robert “Dr. Bob” Gardner

October 28, 2016

References

Bulletins of the school/college/university

Phone Directories

The Comet (newspaper)

University Websites

The Buccaneer (yearbook)

Personal photographs

Old Hickory

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Special Thanks to: Selena Harmon, Archive Assistant

The Department of Mathematics (and Statistics)

Celebrates 90 Years

The website http://www.etsu.edu/facts/history.aspx states that the Mathematics Department was first part of the school in 1926.

Disclaimer

Our department is likely older than 90 years! We’ll see a reference to another bit of information indicating that there are incorrect dates on the “Facts and History” webpage.

CLASSES

Solid Geometry

College Algebra

Plane Trigonometry

Plane Analytic Geometry

The Calculus

Spherical Trigonometry

Methods in High School

Mathematics

History of Mathematics

Solid Analytic Geometry

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ETSC Bulletin (July, 1926) XVI #1

The Genesis of East Tennessee State Normal School

Malcolm R. Patterson (1861-1935)

TN Governor 1907-1911

Tennessee Education Bill of 1909

The Land for East Tennessee State Normal School

George L. Carter (1957-1936)

Bust outside Mayetta Carter Hall

Published by ETSU in 2012

(HC102.5.C365 S7 2012 in ETSU Library)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTipwNGNRbI

YouTube Video: The Carter Legacy

1910 Postcard

The Hills South of Campus (1969)

First President: Sidney Gilbreath

Johnson City newspaper The Comet reported on the October 10, 1911 opening ceremony of East Tennessee State Normal School

The Front Steps Have Hosted Many Events…

The Charter Faculty

The First Five Buildings

State Teachers College, Johnson City (1935)

Women’s Dorm (Carter Hall, 1911)

Heating Plant, Dining Hall, 1911

President’s House (1911)

East Tennessee State Normal School

(1911)

Northern End

Southern End

Front

(East)

Back

(West)

Our home: Gilbreath Hall (the “Administrative Building”)

Gilbreath Hall Shortly after Construction (circa 1911)

This is the oldest photo I can find. Notice the absence of the lights near the entrances.

Large Painting on 2^nd Floor

From the Archives of Appalachia (ETSU Sherrod Library)

From the Archives of Appalachia (ETSU Sherrod Library)

Back of photo: First ETSU “library” was in Administration Building, top Floor, SW corner room.” [Now, Gilbreath room 304] [from Archives of Appalachia]

The 1926 Old Hickory with a view of Room 207 of the Administrative Building. The door on the left reads “207 President;” the door on the right reads “Private.”

From the Archives of Appalachia (ETSU Sherrod Library)

In the `60s

The Other Original Buildings

An Early Panorama – Carter Hall and the “Administration Building”

The Women’s Dorm (“Mayetta Carter Hall”)

The Women’s Dorm (“Mayetta Carter Hall”)

Dining Hall, Heating Plant

Dining Hall, interior

The President’s Home

From the Archives of Appalachia (ETSU Sherrod Library)

The “Second Generation” Buildings

State Teachers College, Johnson City (1935)

Men’s Dorm (Taylor Hall, 1922)

Training School (Alexander Hall, 1928)

First Gym

(1922)

Sherrod Library (1931)

“Old Library”

(Reece Museum, 1923)

Model School

(1915)

“Community Singing,” from around 1920

From Burleson’s East Tennessee State College

The First Free-Standing Library (the “Reece Museum”)

From the 1926 Bulletin.

From Burleson’s East Tennessee State College

The Trolley System

The Administrative Building in 1919 (from the Archives of Appalachia)

The Old Gymnasium

Notice the chain link fence on the left; this encloses the tennis courts behind the Administration building.

This undated photo shows a tennis match on the court that once existed adjacent to the rear of GIlbreath Hall in the background . (Flickr)

Tennis Courts Behind Gilbreath

The “New Library” (Nick’s Hall)

From the 1941 Buccaneer

Men’s Dorm

Circa 1980

The George L. Carter House

(1909-1984)

The George L. Carter House

(1909-1984)

Nick’s Hall (2^nd floor)

Other Buildings up to 1960

East Tennessee State College (1950)

Brown Hall (1948)

Amphitheater (1941)

Cafeteria (Varsity Grill)

From the Archives of Appalachia, circa 1960

Brooks Gym (1952)

Carson Hall (1952)

Student Center

From the Archives of Appalachia

(ETSU Sherrod Library)

The Structure of the Administrative Building

Granite Plaques at Top of Front Steps

The original theater

Auditorium/Theater

Back of photo: This newly designed and reconstructed auditorium, seating 750, was the work of Dr. C. C. Sherrod, after he became president in 1925. The new stage at North end, with new balcony and seats. [Archives of Appalachia]

Homecoming in “auditorium.” Is this the basement? [Flickr, undated]

South End, 1941

The flag pole was dedicated November 11, 1937…

The Stub of the 1937 Flag Pole Today

Name the Administrative Building after Sidney Gilbreath - 1950

The portrait on the 2^nd floor of Gilbreath Hall, by Gordon Westmore (1967)

Name the Administrative Building after Sidney Gilbreath - 1957

The 1975 Renovation

The 1975 Renovation

The bronze plaque near the front door

The `08 Complexes

Above the Ceiling Tiles in 308

Gilbreath Hall, Early 1970s?

Second Floor

Second Floor

After the Renovation

Rat Week, 1960 (from Flickr)

A First Floor Entrance on the West Side

Back of Gilbreath, 1961

Before Dossett Hall – Notice the Tile Work

1967-68

Tiles are still present…

The Front Doors

The Front Doors

The first graduating class.

“The Gilbreath Crack”

There is a crack in Gilbreath which runs from the ground to the top of the third floor. It runs through some of the bricks and there are easily visible breaks in the marble under the bricked-in windows.

The Office Space in Gilbreath Hall

Outdoor Wall

Door

Window

Interior Wall (wooden)

Interior Wall (stucco)

Column

Elevator

Steps

Gilbreath Hall, 1st Floor

(Based on the posted fire escape plans .)

104

105

117

116

BR

BR

BR Bathroom

106

115

107

Elec.

114

113

Theater

Missing Room Numbers: 101, 102, 103, 109, 110, 111, 112

The Post Office was in Gilbreath 117 (1971-72 phone directory)

Security was in Gilbreath 114

(1971-72 phone directory)

1955 Buccaneer

Outdoor Wall

Door

Window

Interior Wall (wooden)

Interior Wall (stucco)

Column

Elevator

Steps

Gilbreath Hall, 1st Floor

(Based on the posted fire escape plans .)

104

105

117

116

BR

BR

BR Bathroom

106

115

107

Elec.

114

113

Theater

Missing Room Numbers: 101, 102, 103, 109, 110, 111, 112

1964-65 Phonebook

1959 (Flickr)

Where was the bookstore???

Outdoor Wall

Door

Window

Interior Wall (wooden)

Interior Wall (stucco)

Column

Elevator

Steps

Gilbreath Hall, 1st Floor

(Based on the posted fire escape plans .)

104

105

117

116

BR

BR

BR Bathroom

106

115

107

Elec.

114

113

Theater

Missing Room Numbers: 101, 102, 103, 109, 110, 111, 112

Outdoor Wall

Door

Window

Interior Wall (wooden)

Interior Wall (stucco)

Column

Elevator

Steps

Gilbreath Hall, 2^nd Floor

(Based on the posted fire escape plans .)

204

205

211

214

213

207B

207A

209

BR

BR

BR Bathroom

206

206

212

Theater

210

A

Missing Room Numbers: 201, 202, 203

President’s Office, 207

Telecommunications, 206 (in 1971)

Lester Hartsell (Chair) Carson 202A

Helen Byrd (Secretary) Carson 202A

ETSU Directory, 1975-76

ETSU Directory, 1976-77

Lester Hartsell (Chair) Carson 202A

Helen Byrd (Secretary) Carson 202A

Carson Hall

Carson Hall (1952-1990???)

Math Department Rejects Gilbreath Hall!

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"...the plan was that... the Math Department would vacate Tom Carson Hall and move into Gilbreath... [Other units planned to return to Gilbreath as soon as construction was complete but] Not so with the Math Department. This summer the faculty of the department petitioned the administration for permission to remain in Carson Hall.

The primary complaint about Gilbreath Hall is the third floor office space. The faculty offices are separated only by partitions with no doors. Dr. Lester Hartsell cited lack of security as one of the major drawbacks of the new building.

With no doors, occupants would be unable to insure safe-keeping of examinations, books, typewriters, calculators and other valuable equipment.

...Betty Lyle of the Math Department was concerned that the limited privacy would hamper student guidance. She fells that students would be unwilling to discuss class or personal problems when they could be overheard.

Hartsell said there is a feeling of department unity in Carson Hall. "We have a building we can call our own," Hartsell said.

...Hartsell said, "All in all the administration has been very nice.“ East Tennessean, 9/26/1975

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Outdoor Wall

Door

Window

Interior Wall (wooden)

Interior Wall (stucco)

Column

Elevator

Steps

Gilbreath Hall, 3^rd Floor

(Based on the posted fire escape plans .)

304

305-306

310

311

314

312C

313

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

R

Q

P

O

S

T

U

307B

312A

312B

307A

312

308

309

BR

BR

BR Bathroom

Missing Room Numbers: 301, 302, 303

Gilbreath Hall, 308 Office Complex 1977-78

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

Sally Carson

L. Kerley

Joe Faber

Ed Williams

G. Ginnings

T. Jablonski

C. Wilson

J. Kinloch

C. Taylor

Ben Lyle

Betty Lyle

M. Midyett

James Pleasant

V. Sakhare

Tae-Il Suh

Math Department Members 308 Gilbreath, 1977-78

According to the ETSU Telephone Directory

In the Math Office (311 Gilbreath): Lester Hartsell (chair) and Helen Byrd (secretary).

Gilbreath Hall, 308 Office Complex 1982-83

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

L. Hartsell

Joe Faber

Ed Williams

G. Ginnings

T. Jablonski

C. Wilson

J. Kinloch

C. Taylor

Ben Lyle

M. Midyett

James Pleasant

V. Sakhare

Tae-Il Suh

Math Department Members 308 Gilbreath, 1982-83

According to the ETSU Telephone Directory

In the Math Office (311 Gilbreath): William Anderson, Jr. (chair) and Helen Byrd (secretary).

Betty Lyle

Robert

Zeighami

Gilbreath Hall, 308 Office Complex 2016

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

Robe

J. Knisley

Cintron-

Arias

Joyner

Poole

Norwood

Adjuncts

McGill

Gardner

Lewis

Also, Haynes (307A), D. Knisley (307B), Godbole (509A Warf-Pickel Hall), and Marks (314 McCune-Welch Hall, Kingsport).

In the Math Office (312 Gilbreath): Bob Price (chair), Daryl Stephens (assistant chair), and Lisa Erwin (executive aid).

Hendrick-son

Beeler

Davidson

Hosler

Smith

Hardin

Hicks

Graduate Students

Keaton

Tae-Il Suh: The First Research Paper?

June 1, 1928-July 27, 2009

Photo taken spring 1996 in Gilbreath 308H.

Nederl. Akad. Wetensch. Proc. Ser. A 71 = Indag. Math. 30 (1968) 321–324.

(Lists ETSU as affiliation)

Nathan Jacobson (1910-1999)

Spring 2012

Our Most Recent Departmental Group Photo

(in a familiar setting!)

Our Most Interesting Neighbor…

The Old Gymnasium, 1947

Campus Map, February 1951

“Fine Arts”

“[We moved] a 100’ x 112’ solid brick, with steel frame and reinforcement, in 1953. We picked up the building, moved it west 12 feet, reversed it [i.e., its direction], moved it north 114 feet, raised it 14 feet and added a complete new story under the building and a story on top of the building, changing it from a two-story to a four-story brick, doubling the capacity of the building. It was a superb engineering job executed by the Winn Engineering Company of Nashville.”

A letter from President Burgin E. Dossett dated August 12, 1964.

“On March 8, 1960 under the authority of the State Board of Education the Administrative Council in regular session officially named this building The Charles Hodge Mathes Hall in honor of him who as charter member of the faculty served this college from its beginning September 1, 1911, to August 31, 1949.

Master teacher

Dean – 1911-1920”

The upper plaque reads:

The Façade of the old Gym is preserved in Mathes Hall

The Windows from the South side of the old Gym are partially preserved in Mathes Hall

The South Facing Windows on Mathes Hall Today (Outside)

The South Facing Arched Window on Mathes Hall Today (Inside)

The North Facing Windows on the Old Gym

From the 1941 Buccaneer, page 37.

?

From 1952 Buccaneer

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

Fourth Floor

Burleson Hall

Third Floor

T. Alan Holmes’ Office

(305 Burleson)

The North Facing Arched Window on Mathes Hall Today (Inside)

When Was It Moved?

From ETSU’s Facts and History website (http://www.etsu.edu/facts/history.aspx):

September 1955: Old gymnasium (built in 1928) moved to become part of Mathes Hall (music and military science).

BUT THIS CAN’T BE CORRECT!!!

ETSC Collegian 9/11/1953

ETSC Collegian 9/22/1954

The Back of Mathes Hall Today

The Front of Mathes Hall Today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMVP3wGCBIY

YouTube Video: 2012 ETSU Virtual Campus Tour

George L. Carter’s daughter, Alice, distraught over a lost love who died by taking rat poison! For years, she was said to haunt the old George L. Carter house. However, Carter didn’t have a daughter! See:

Some Final Nonsense: Ghosts on Campus

http://www.prairieghosts.com/etsu.html

“ETSU’s spooky campus has gained national attention from publications like the Huffington Post for its myriad of ghostly residents.” - East Tennessean, 10/27/2016

The October 27, 2016 East Tennessean.

A Number of Additional Questions!

Have the room numbers remained the same over the last century?

Where was the bookstore?

What’s up with the attic space? Is it just for storage?

Why are the front stairwell landings in the middle of the windows?

Was the theater originally on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors?

Did the north and south ends used to have the exterior doors flush with the ends of the building?

Why are so many windows on the west side bricked up?

Is the Gilbreath Crack being monitored?

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When was Carson Hall razed?

Is the stained glass in Nick’s Hall backlit?

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