Updated: January 3, 2007

Through the last 100 years, Blue Ridge as seen lots of growth. Part of that growth is new buildings and part is that growth is loosing buildings. Post cards provide a pictorial history of the old and new buildings.  Take a walk through history and see how things have changed.

When different publishers printed the same card, each publisher is listed (but not every variation). "Various cards" in the description indicates different post cards show the same view or information. "Photo" in the description means the post card is a photo-chrome (modern post card) or a real-photo (usually black and white).

Entrance:
The entrance to Blue Ridge is basically the same. The covered gate was removed many years ago.

Gate: apc250
Sign: apscp3352, apc831591

Tent Area (beside Lee Hall):
In the very early days of Blue Ridge, tents were used as overflow when Lee Hall was full. Tents have not been used in a very, very long time.

Tent Colony: spc0b410
Tents next to Lee Hall (look to the right): apc003
Swimming Pool and Tents (when the Pool was in front of the Gym): spc0b476

Lake / Pool:
The original pool was a "lake" feed by a mountain stream. It was located next to the Lee Hall in front of the Gym. Through the years this area was developed from a lake area to a pool with concrete sides. On some post cards this area is called a lake on others it is called a pool. Warner Memorial Pool, which replaced the pool next to Lee Hall, was built in 1966.

Very early post cards with just trees beside Lee Hall (various cards): bbcb274, hwp011, hwpa35957, hwpa35965, hwpr39262, spc0b274-a37903
Roadway leading to Lee Hall with notice developed area and diving board next to the road: spc0b474
Pool and Tents next to Lee Hall: spc0b476
Pool next to Lee Hall with people standing around (various cards): eck55, spc0b600, apc279, spc0b475
Pool next to Lee Hall with people swimming (various cards): apc004, spc0b274-r80532, spc0b601
Pool next to Lee Hall (various cards): apcn205, unk008
View from top of Lee Hall showing the pool, gym, & Abbott Hall: apc457
View from Lee Hall with pool in background: kod013
Aerial View of Blue Ridge Association, shows pool in front of the Gym: apc657, hnm139
View of Lee Hall with  barrier and gate next to the road (various cards): apckbm02, kod016
Aerial View of Blue Ridge Assembly, does not show anything in front of the Gym: apcbm19, apcbm07
Aerial View of Blue Ridge Assembly, does not show anything in front of the Gym (various cards, photo): ck023277, unk002
Aerial View of Blue Ridge Assembly, shows Warner Memorial Pool (photo): ck150971
View of Lee Hall with wooden rails next to the road (photo): apc131543, apc561339
Warner Memorial Pool (photo): apckbm16

Old Dining Hall (behind Lee Hall):
Before Blue Ridge Center was built, meals were cooked and enjoyed in the dining hall directly behind Lee Hall. The building was demolished in the 1980's. The area is now a parking lot.

Dining Hall (various cards, photo): apc000, unk006
Dining Hall behind Lee Hall (various cards, aerial, photo): unk002, ck023277, ck150971
Dining Hall behind Lee Hall (various cards, aerial): apcbm19 apc657 apcbm07 apcbm19 hnm139 spcb020

Lee Hall Lobby:
The lobby of Robert E Lee Hall has not changed much. The same style of chairs that are in very early post cards are still used today. One notable change is the "service desk" located in the corner of the lobby in early post cards. The "service desk" is no longer in the lobby and is now the "Conference Services" office down the hallway.

People in lobby (various cards): hwpr39261, spc0b369, spc0b406, spc0b480

Walk Through History, page 2