Woods Hall at the University of Alabama is still standing because of an alert student on October 6, 1931 which could have ended in tragedy

Following the destruction of the University of Alabama campus during the American Civil War, a new Quad emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries The first building to be built on the campus was Woods Hall, completed in 1868. Woods Hall is located on the Campus of the University of Alabama, near McCorvey Drive and Stadium Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was named for Alva Woods, the First President of the University of Alabama from 1831 to 1837.

Woods Hall housed all the students

Woods Hall is located on the Campus of the University of Alabama, near McCorvey Drive and Stadium Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was named for Alva Woods, the First President of the University of Alabama from 1831 to 1837. The gothic revival structure was built of materials salvaged from the original campus. It housed the entire University for almost two decades.

The news article from October 6, 1931 tells how a student’s quick actions saved the historic building.

The Tuscaloosa News

October 6, 1931

ALERT STUDENT PREVENTS FIRE IN WOODS HALL

Youth Smells Smoke As Dining Hall Blaze Starts: Bucket Brigade Stops Threat

FIRE TRUCK CALLED OUT AT 2:10 THIS MORNING

Loss of $350 Reported But Building Little Hurt; Students Awakened

Fire prevention of the highest order was demonstrated this morning by Will E. Chisam of Bridgeport, University student who reported a smoldering fire in the supply room of the Woods Hll dining room at the Quadrangle, leading to action extinguished the blaze which might have developed into serious proportions.

Woods Hall ca. 1900 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

Chisam, sleeping with his head close to a window directly over the supply room, was awakened by smoke coming from the ventilator below. He roused a fellow student who worked in the dining hall, and the two called out other students to aid in a bucket brigade to fight the fire.

This group had the blaze practically under control when firemen from Station Number 2 arrived and ran a hose to the scene. The remaining embers were quickly doused.

Total damage was estimated at $350, being $200 to the building and $150 to supplies. Although Woods Hall exterior is constructed entirely of brick, the interior is of wood.

Students throughout the Quadrangle were awakened by the excitement and those who did not join es (?) from the ‘stoops’ above. Origin of the fire was not determined.

ALABAMA FOOTPRINTS Immigrants: Lost & Forgotten Stories includes some lost & forgotten stories of their experiences such as:

• The Birth of Twickenham
• Captain Slick – Fact or Fiction
• Vine & Olive Company
• The Death of Stooka
• President Monroe’s Surprise Visit To Huntsville