The Southern University Archivesand Information Center, the only building on the land purchased in 1914 whenSouthern University was relocated is still in good condition. As it sitsalongside the Mississippi River, the building still stands and the history ofthe building is a timeless archive for SU.
“This is the oldest building onthe campus,” said Patricia Flood, coordinator for special events and assistantto the SUBR Chancellor Edward Jackson.
The relocation of Southernincluded 135.63 acres of land bought on March 14, 1914 for $5,764.27 and thiswas the only building on the land.
“It was the only real buildingon the campus when the university was established here in 1914,” Flood said.
The land where Southern wasfounded, known as Scott’s Bluff, was a plantation and there were other cabinson campus. It is believed that the building was used as a foreman’s house.
This building has had many usesover the years.
“It was used as the President’shome, dormitory, to house campus personnel and used as classrooms,” Flood said.”Dr. Joseph S. Clark and his wife lived in this building.” Thus the name “TheClark House.”
In 1999, the Clark House wasrenovated and became the SU Archives and Information Center.
“It needs to be preservedcompletely. History doesn’t need to die off, it needs to be preserved and it isgreat that it is still standing,” said Joshua Wickline, a junior musiceducation major from Lamark, Texas.
The house is approximately threerooms wide and about one room deep. The construction of the building shows thatit may have supported a larger house. Now priceless university archives areheld inside the home, including a bell from the tower that was located to theleft of the building before it was purchased by Southern.
“The bell was used because thiswas a plantation and it was used to summon slaves from the field,” Flood said.
