Union College Unveils Historical Marker

Union College and representatives from the Knox County Historical Society unveiled the College's historical marker on Wednesday, December 13.

The marker distinguishes Union as Kentucky's First College in the Mountains, being incorporated in October 1879, and conferring its first degrees in 1893. The marker also acknowledges three buildings on Union's campus that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places - Centennial Hall, Speed Hall and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Gymnasium.

December 13 was selected as the date to unveil the marker for an important reason. On that date in 1886, classes resumed at Union after the college nearly closed. At the 1886 Kentucky Annual Conference, Union's property was auctioned. Dr. Daniel Stevenson arranged for a local man, Green Elliott to do the bidding on the property, which was sold for $4,425. Stevenson immediately drew up a contract that the school should be reopened under his direction and under the patronage of the Kentucky Conference.

December 18, 2000

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