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Photos

Campus Buildings

Administrative Building — This photo was taken before the building was painted probably in the 40’s or 50’s. The concrete blocks used in its construction were made on campus by the students, and all lumber used in its construction also was milled on campus at the college’s lumber mill. The old music building which was named for Dr. Julian Bandy. Lois DeLany Gymnatorium Earl Hall was the original location of the high school. Click here to read more about Earl Hall. Fant Hall—a girl’s dorm—was built in the early 70’s on the area where the college’s first tennis courts were

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Black-Topped Roads

“At last, roads of our campus were paved with black-top during the month of August. No longer will we have to contend with dust or mud while traveling from one building to another. The task of cleaning the buildings will be much easier, also. This long-anticipated improvement adds immensely to the appearance of the campus. In his inimitable way Dr. Forrest said, ‘I felt just like getting down and kissing the stuff!’ Everyone here had a kindred emotion regarding it. “A few years ago the Alumni Association undertook to raise the necessary money to make this improvement for our Alma

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Billy Sunday Visits Toccoa and Receives Great Ovation

(The following is an article from The Toccoa Record, November 29, 1917 (Used by Permission) taken from the book A Tree God Planted by Troy Damron) The largest crowd of humanity that Toccoa has ever entertained greeted Billy Sunday when he arrived here at 11:30 a.m. Monday in a special car. He was accompanied by his “family” of church workers, including Homer Rodeheaver with his trombone; the American Quartet from Camp Gordon, several well known citizens and ministers from Atlanta, conspicuous among them being Rev. J. Orme Flynn, Dr. Ashby Jones, J. Wood White and several others. A number of

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Bessie Wilson Harris

A Homecoming (Editor’s note: The following information was taken from a college interview with Bessie Wilson Harris in the ‘70’s.) Mrs. Bessie Wilson Harris, former resident of Toccoa and Toccoa Falls, returned recently for a visit. Mrs. Harris lived in the Toccoa area for nearly 26 years (1900-1926). In 1908, owner E. P. Simpson employed her as a chambermaid at Haddock Inn. During our interview, she told of the beauty of the falls and especially Haddock Inn. “At that time, the Inn was a famous summer resort,” she said with a broad smile. “Then when Rev. and Mrs. Forrest purchased

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Baby Chickens at Haddock Inn!

There is a good chance that this is the only photo of Evelyn Forrest standing in the lower level of Haddock Inn. Shortly after the Forrests arrived at Toccoa Falls, Evelyn and Richard realized the need to plant gardens and begin raising livestock. She had students and faculty members to feed along with the numerous guests at the inn. Chickens, even then, were easy to care for. In this photo, Evelyn Forrest (on the right) is holding a baby chicken and the young lady with her is one of the Institute’s first students. Many years later, Evelyn Forrest continued to

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Athletics & Recreation

“However, life at Toccoa Falls was not all work. There was plenty of opportunity for recreation. There was also time for hiking, swimming, tennis, basketball, and baseball. Music, for both services and recreation, was stressed. “Over the years the Forrests continued to take in young people as long as they had a conscious knowledge of salvation and a heart and life yielded to God.” (copy from Achieving the Impossible with God by Lorene Moothart) Photos below: Old athletic field Photos below: Men’s baseball Photos below: Women’s basketball Photos below: Swimming

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50th Anniversary

In commemoration of Toccoa Falls Institute’s 50th anniversary, a public service was held with Dr. Billy Graham as the principal speaker. Proclamations by William Clary, Mayor of the City of Toccoa and Dr. Bruce Schaeffer, Chairman of the Commissioners of Stephens County proclaimed September 25, 1961, as “Dr. Forrest—Toccoa Falls Day” in Toccoa and Stephens County. U.S. Congressman Phil Landrum, who spoke at the public convocation, said, “I never heard Dr. Forrest preach a sermon but I saw him live many a sermon.” Senator Herman Talmadge spoke of his admiration for the faith demonstrated by Dr. Forrest and pointed to

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1955 Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees chosen by Dr. Forrest and his advisors to run the affairs of Toccoa Falls Institute, July 1, 1955 (Left to right) R. E. Dixon – Belmont, NC – businessman Marshall Smart – Toccoa, GA – alumnus and businessman Dr. William Good – Toccoa, GA – medical doctor Rev. James Rich – Miami, FL – alumnus and minister Rev. Gus Woerner – Toccoa Falls, GA – member-at-large Rev. T. G. Mangham – Maitland, FL – minister Rev. Forrest Carter – Toccoa Falls, GA – member-at-large Col. Clyde McClure – Toccoa, GA – attorney E. Kelly Barnes – Toccoa

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1920s

Group after the Haddock Inn fire 1917-1918 Second group student body 1919-1920 1920 1920-1921 1921-1922 Band 1922-1923 1922-1923 Band

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1930s

Graduation pin from 1932 1932-1933 Band Graduating Class of 1934 1934 Graduates 1933-1934 Student Body ——————————————————— 1934–COMMERCIAL COURSE In 1934, a commercial course was added with five rebuilt typewriters, 20 students, and one teacher. By 1941, 20 “modern” typewriters had replaced the five rusty rebuilts. Other classes and skills included bookkeeping; Gregg shorthand; secretarial skills—writing letters, making invoices, filing, drawing checks, etc.; the operation of duplicating machines and dictaphones; and other business methods needed to make the efficient businessman or woman. Graduates of the Commercial Department were highly sought after. In one year alone, 21 graduates were hired by the

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March 12 & 13, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Wednesday, March 12, 1930 4:00 a.m. called – Breakfast and prayers over started 6:00 a.m. from Divo.

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March 10 & 11, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Monday, March 10, 1930 On the way to the Ivory Coast. Did not sleep very well the

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March 8 & 9, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Saturday, March 8, 1930 Kaukau, Africa 7:30 a.m. This was a good opportunity to sleep a little

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March 6 & 7, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Thursday, March 6, 1930 Mamow, Africa 5:30 a.m. Breakfast at 5:45 a.m. so as to get an

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March 4 & 5, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Tuesday, March 4, 1930 Conakry, Africa 5:00 a.m. We are up dressing ready for our trip up

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March 2 & 3, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Sunday, March 2 After breakfast served in our room, the day was spent in quiet meditation. This

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