History of Elon College #2 It was in 1889 that the Christian Church established a college at the Mill Point depot. Prior to that time, Dr. W.S. LONG was operating a private school at Graham, N.C., the Graham Normal College. The church leased that school and moved it to Mill Point, where it became a four-year, co-educational college. Dr. LONG came there as the first president. The land for the college was a 50 acre tract donated by W.H. TROLLINGER of Haw River. The site of the new college was covered in old oak trees, and as a result, the name Elon was selected for the college. Elon is a Hebrew word for oak. The college opened in 1890 with 76 students and at the time only one building was completed. It was in 1890 that the name of the postoffice at Mill Point was changed to Elon College and on April 7, 1893 the little town was officially incorporated as Elon College. The town plan had been drawn up in 1890 by Professor S.A. HOLLEMAN and this college faculty member was the charter mayor of Elon College when it was incorporated. The first store was opened by W.L. SMITH, the freight agent. It was at 100 N. Williamson Avenue. The store burned in 1891 and was replaced by a two story brick structure which remains today. The oldest buildings in Elon College are located in that block of Williamson Avenue, today. The college itself has been an integral part of the community. In 1907 the college built a power station, and in addition to serving the needs of the school, power and water were made available to the residents of the village. 1907 was significant for another reason in the history of the town as well. It was in that year that the Christian Church opened its orphanage on South Antioch Avenue. Twenty three children were admitted the first year, and the Rev. J.L. FOSTER Sr was the first superintendent. The orphanage, now the W.W. SNYDER Campus of Elon Homes for Children, continues in operation in 1993 with Dick WALKER as president. It is a modern facility which has changed to meet the needs of the children in today's world. It is no longer the orphanage of the past, but a home which offers crisis care, as well as long term care for young people with special needs. The Elon Homes also operates the Kennedy Campus in Mecklenburg County, NC. To be continued...#3