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
Honoring of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Black greek life organizations (under the NPHC) honored through the creation of the Legacy Plaza
War Eagle III Flying at Auburn Game (1963)
This image shows War Eagle III flying during an Auburn football game in 1963 at Cliff Hare Stadium. It demonstrates how the War Eagle tradition was already becoming a visible part of game day experiences.
Petit Larceny
Charge Dismissed
On Auburn Pair
Newspaper article on the 1962 petty larceny case. Auburn students and faculty stole at least 6 rolls of toilet paper from a restaurant in Phenix City, AL.
Ralph in Ireland exploring the Cliffs of Moher
A photo posted on instagram showing Ralph in Ireland with the tag #RalphOnTheRoad
Ralph in the Stacks
A photo of Ralph placed on a shelf in a Instagram post announcing his annual return to the RBD Christmas tree
Stress Tiger Christmas Tree
Ralph the stress tigers place on RBD book Christmas tree ready for students to grab
Eagle Eye TV Reel
This video was taken from Eagle Eye TV's YouTube channel from 2025 that covers the student organization's role in their media coverage
A New Name: The Plainsman
Vol. 26, No. 4, November 18, 1922 issue of The Plainsman, the student newspaper of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University.
Newspaper clipping on the beating of Fonny Calhoun in November 1960
Vol. 88, No. 9, November 18, 1960 issue of The Plainsman, the student newspaper of Auburn University.
Orange and Blue Debut
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.
1967: Auburn water tank being taken down
A picture of Toomer's Drugs. The water tower behind the drug stor is being taken down.
Toomer's Drugs
The Auburn Plainsman show how traditions like “War Eagle” are still actively used today and continue to shape student identity.
Iron Bowl Preview
The Birmingham News previews the Iron Bowl, focusing primary on the coaching matchup between Saban and Tuberville
Toomer's Drugs Interior Photograph
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…
View South from Main Building
Photograph that shows the landscape of Auburn in the late 19th century
Honoring of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Black greek life organizations (under the NPHC) honored through the creation of the Legacy Plaza
1985: Rolling Toomer's Corner
Pictured is a 1985 celebration, probably after Auburn's 17-14 victory over Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
1938: Post-Orange Bowl celebration at Toomer's Corner
This is a photo of a student gathering at Toomer's Corner. They are celebrating the wi
Toomer's Drugs Account Book Page
A photograph of S. L. Toomer's Account page with a description of the original business focus.
The Original Seal of Auburn University
The original seal of Auburn University back when the University was still Alabama Polytechnic Institute
Heyday Photo
students interacting with each other and enjoying themselves and sign that symbolizes the tradition
war eagle tradition
The “War Eagle” tradition does not have one clear origin. Some stories trace it back to an 1892 football game
Students burning copies of the Glomerata at Plainsman Park on the campus of Auburn University
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.
Newspaper Clipping, Kirk Newell's History of "War Eagle"
![Newspaper Clipping, Kirk Newell's History of "War Eagle"](https://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/files/thumbnails/59bc14bfefda117f82502a4a9cf5988f.jpg "Newspaper Clipping, Kirk Newell's History of "War Eagle"")
1944 Opelika-Auburn Newspaper Article on Kirk Newell's perspective of where and how "War Eagle" originated for Auburn University.
The Auburn Seal
The seal of Auburn University that sits infront of Langdon Hall and was put there in the 70s.
The War Eagle Special
A War Eagle Special taking Auburn fans to Atlanta for the 1939 Georgia Tech football game.
1900: Toomer's Corner
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.
Downtown Auburn Map
Drawn map of Downtown Auburn Alabama with labels for individual buildings and locations around Toomer's Corner.
!["The Deserted Village"](https://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/files/thumbnails/40fdadad69c07a65f921f5c84dbe6e85.jpg ""The Deserted Village"")
Old Picture of WESC
Group of people standing outside of the War Eagle Supper Club waiting to be allowed in.
"Fight 'Em Tigers" Sheet Music
!["Fight 'Em Tigers" Sheet Music](https://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/files/thumbnails/f3a2245f2e5452e512c40efc86bb10cf.jpg ""Fight 'Em Tigers" Sheet Music")
Sheet music for band preceded by a chant about the the warrior spirit of "the Southland."
Legion Field
The stadium added additions to the upper east side in 1961, making the stadium significantly larger.
Peace Dinner Graphic
Promotional Graphic for the ISO Peace Dinner 2018 (Original Graphic Created 2014)
First Fraternity on Campus
Photo of the first Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge class; the first fraternity on Auburn's campus founded in 1878
1960 Glomerata Title Page
This title page of the 1960 edition of The Glomerata describes the name change from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute to Auburn University.