THE RECORD Online

Summer/Fall 2003 Alumni and Board of Trustees News

Taking a Look Back

GC Alum Kevin John Kaegy ’85 chronicles the history of Greenville and Bond County

Most residents of Greenville and Bond County know the area has a rich and diverse history. Civil war drills held in Greenville’s town square, campaign visits by Abraham Lincoln and William Jennings Bryan, the touring of the Liberty Bell, and those who became agents for the Underground Railroad are just a few of the things that make up the county’s heritage.

Kaegy, a sixth generation Bond County resident, teamed with members of the Bond County Historical Society to create the pictorial history Images of America: Greenville and Bond County, (Arcadia Publishing 2003). The group spent close to a year to find, sort and identify the book’s photos, many of which came from Kaegy’s personal collection.

GC Archivist Marilyn Starr, retired music professors Dr. Everett Sanders and Dr. James Wilson lent their talents, as did many other community members from all over the county.

Of particular note to alums are the many photos of GC from its earliest days, including former president H.J. Long’s residence, torn down in 1961 to build the student union, and an aerial view of the campus taken sometime after 1915.

Another image depicts LaDue Auditorium, c. 1905, with the original balcony and stage. Now known as the LaDue Music Center, the photo’s caption relates the prank where a student dropped a live chicken from the door above the stage onto the bald head of the chapel speaker. The college removed the door soon afterwards.

The book is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and borders.com, as well as at local bookstores and gift shops.

Last updated: September 26, 2003