Inventing Traditions at Auburn

Dublin Core

Title

Inventing Traditions at Auburn

Subject

Auburn University History

Description

Histories of the traditions of Auburn University and the broader community

Creator

Fundamentals of Public History, Spring 2026

Collection Items

Vol. 88, No. 9, November 18, 1960 issue of The Plainsman, the student newspaper of Auburn University.

Vol. I, No. 1, November 7, 1894 issue of the Orange and Blue, the student newspaper of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University.

Ralph the stress tigers being hidden around the library

Chi Omega was founded at Auburn as the first sorority on campus in 1921

A picture of Toomer's Drugs. The water tower behind the drug stor is being taken down.

The Auburn Plainsman show how traditions like “War Eagle” are still actively used today and continue to shape student identity.

Instagram Reel posted after the 2025 ISO Peace Dinner

The Birmingham News previews the Iron Bowl, focusing primary on the coaching matchup between Saban and Tuberville

Article reporting on the state of both teams before Auburn plays Georgia Tech

A picture of Toomer's Corner at the turn of the 20th century.

Shel Toomer, in bow tie, posed with employees of Toomer Drugstore in 1907, the year after he bought the building. The soda fountain attendant appears to be F. R. "Crow" Wright, and at right is Rufus Lee Jenkins, a longtime employee who retired in…

A picture of where the seal sits outside Langdon Hall

Photograph that shows the landscape of Auburn in the late 19th century

Black greek life organizations (under the NPHC) honored through the creation of the Legacy Plaza

Pictured is a 1985 celebration, probably after Auburn's 17-14 victory over Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

This is a photo of a student gathering at Toomer's Corner. They are celebrating the wi

A photograph of S. L. Toomer's Account page with a description of the original business focus.

The original seal of Auburn University back when the University was still Alabama Polytechnic Institute

People dancing inside of WESC

students interacting with each other

Image of the WESC after being demolished

The “War Eagle” tradition does not have one clear origin. Some stories trace it back to an 1892 football game

1907 Interior

Pile of Ralph stress toys in a cart for finals in fall 2019

Photo of Delta Gamma pledge class when it was founded in 1972

Hundreds of students participated to protest the new edition of the yearbook, which they felt overrepresented the presence and influence of hippie culture at the school.

1944 Opelika-Auburn Newspaper Article on Kirk Newell's perspective of where and how "War Eagle" originated for Auburn University.

The seal of Auburn University that sits infront of Langdon Hall and was put there in the 70s.

Auburn-Opelika Newspaper article on the origin of "War Eagle"

A War Eagle Special taking Auburn fans to Atlanta for the 1939 Georgia Tech football game.

This is a picture of Toomer's Corner and the surrounding area. Toomer's is located to the right of the tree at center frame.

Drawn map of Downtown Auburn Alabama with labels for individual buildings and locations around Toomer's Corner.

Poem by Oliver Goldsmith, where Auburn gets its name from

2015 Soccer Championship Ticker Tape Parade

Auburn International Students Gather for the 2024 ISO Peace Dinner

Group of people standing outside of the War Eagle Supper Club waiting to be allowed in.

Sheet music for band preceded by a chant about the the warrior spirit of "the Southland."

The stadium added additions to the upper east side in 1961, making the stadium significantly larger.

Promotional Graphic for the ISO Peace Dinner 2018 (Original Graphic Created 2014)

Photo of the first Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge class; the first fraternity on Auburn's campus founded in 1878

This title page of the 1960 edition of The Glomerata describes the name change from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute to Auburn University.

A golden eagle purchased for 10 dollars in 1930, this was Auburn's first ever live eagle
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