Oxford Female Seminary
The first attempt to establish a school for women in Oxford was in 1851. "In 1851, the same year that brought the beginnings of Horner School (for men), an attempt was made by the Masons of NC to establish in Oxford and institution to be known as Saint John's College for Females. For this purpose 119 acres of the tract now occupied by the Oxford Orphanage (presently Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, NC) was purchased, and in 1855, the corner-stone of a four storied building was laid with imposing masonic ceremonies. In 1858 the doors of the college were thrown open, but only boys appeared instead of the expected females. The institution was closed during the Civil War."
It was not until the fall of 1880 that Franklin P. Hobgood, then principal of the Raleigh Female Seminary, came to Oxford, taking over the Raleigh Street property and opening the institution known for many years as Oxford Seminary, later as Oxford College. Hobgood, when explaining why he moved from Raleigh, stated "The citizens of Oxford have put us in possession of a building and grounds more ample than those we occupied in Raleigh, and that at a rent merely nominal." This fact made it possible from the very beginning for Hobgood to offer such low rates for board and tuition that many girls from families of very moderate means were able to enjoy the advantages offered by the school. About the year 1917, after an advance in the curriculum, the Seminary became Oxford College, and in 1922 it was recognized as a member of the American Association of Junior Colleges. The school closed in 1925.
An interview with local women who attended the school show it as more than simply a good school. It was a different world from today. Ladies, and all who attended the school were ladies, were expected and forced to act as ladies. Contact with young men was limited and always closely watched. Even meal times were an education, as tables featured cloth napkins, and lovely china and silverware. All young ladies were expected to know music and develop their talents. Dr. Hobgood's reputation for strictness was well remembered, but the girls could inveigle from him far more in concessions than was ever possible from Miss Rosa Jones, dean of women at the school.
However, the college girls would go to Hall's Drug Store and there meet young men. There was always a lookout, and if Miss Rosa came into sight, there was a warning and the girls would hasten to the basement of the store and remain until she had gone. The conversations were resumed when it was safe for the venturesome girls to return to the main level of the store.
A favorite past time of the young men was to drive at slow speed in their father's car by the college campus at the corner of Raleigh Street and High Street. Girls were forbidden to ride with the boys, but it was not unusual for some of them to walk as far as Central Orphanage and there meet a friend for a "spin" on a Model T. Mr. Hobgood kept a sharp eye on his students at all times, and when the cars came repeatedly by the campus, it was not unusual for the bearded college president to appear on the front of the campus to wave the boys away.
It was not until the fall of 1880 that Franklin P. Hobgood, then principal of the Raleigh Female Seminary, came to Oxford, taking over the Raleigh Street property and opening the institution known for many years as Oxford Seminary, later as Oxford College. Hobgood, when explaining why he moved from Raleigh, stated "The citizens of Oxford have put us in possession of a building and grounds more ample than those we occupied in Raleigh, and that at a rent merely nominal." This fact made it possible from the very beginning for Hobgood to offer such low rates for board and tuition that many girls from families of very moderate means were able to enjoy the advantages offered by the school. About the year 1917, after an advance in the curriculum, the Seminary became Oxford College, and in 1922 it was recognized as a member of the American Association of Junior Colleges. The school closed in 1925.
An interview with local women who attended the school show it as more than simply a good school. It was a different world from today. Ladies, and all who attended the school were ladies, were expected and forced to act as ladies. Contact with young men was limited and always closely watched. Even meal times were an education, as tables featured cloth napkins, and lovely china and silverware. All young ladies were expected to know music and develop their talents. Dr. Hobgood's reputation for strictness was well remembered, but the girls could inveigle from him far more in concessions than was ever possible from Miss Rosa Jones, dean of women at the school.
However, the college girls would go to Hall's Drug Store and there meet young men. There was always a lookout, and if Miss Rosa came into sight, there was a warning and the girls would hasten to the basement of the store and remain until she had gone. The conversations were resumed when it was safe for the venturesome girls to return to the main level of the store.
A favorite past time of the young men was to drive at slow speed in their father's car by the college campus at the corner of Raleigh Street and High Street. Girls were forbidden to ride with the boys, but it was not unusual for some of them to walk as far as Central Orphanage and there meet a friend for a "spin" on a Model T. Mr. Hobgood kept a sharp eye on his students at all times, and when the cars came repeatedly by the campus, it was not unusual for the bearded college president to appear on the front of the campus to wave the boys away.
Professor Hobgood had his special punishment for any of his girl students caught in the act of riding with a male companion. The punishment was to walk repeatedly around the circular drive of the campus and they were restricted from going with others down town in free time in the afternoon.
In the early 1920s Oxford College girls relied upon the trains for their transportation to and from Oxford. On one occasion, at the start of Christmas vacation, two train cars were almost filled with Oxford College girls. Some of them were supposed to get off at Dickerson and make a change from the Henderson bound train to another heading southward to Durham via Creedmoor. The students were having such a wonderful time, strumming their ukes and other instruments, singing and cutting up in college girl fashion that they failed to debark at Dickerson. They were almost to Henderson when the error was discovered.
During the last years of operation of the college, every available space was filled. The college closed after Mr. Hobgood refused to sell to the Baptist denomination, although the denomination offered to permit him to operate the school as long as he lived. The college operated for a short period after the death of Mr. Hobgood.
Excerpts according to Katherine H. Hilliard
In the early 1920s Oxford College girls relied upon the trains for their transportation to and from Oxford. On one occasion, at the start of Christmas vacation, two train cars were almost filled with Oxford College girls. Some of them were supposed to get off at Dickerson and make a change from the Henderson bound train to another heading southward to Durham via Creedmoor. The students were having such a wonderful time, strumming their ukes and other instruments, singing and cutting up in college girl fashion that they failed to debark at Dickerson. They were almost to Henderson when the error was discovered.
During the last years of operation of the college, every available space was filled. The college closed after Mr. Hobgood refused to sell to the Baptist denomination, although the denomination offered to permit him to operate the school as long as he lived. The college operated for a short period after the death of Mr. Hobgood.
Excerpts according to Katherine H. Hilliard