Benches
The Class of 1911 erected four stone benches around a small pool on the terrace to the southeast of the Library.

Black Cultural Center
Located on the east side of Woodside Avenue, between Thorne Street and Seward Street. Used in the early 1970s for a social and cultural center for African American students and for meetings and study rooms. Known as the Ihland Property. (Ripon College: A History, p. 226.)

Brand Rex Coffee House
Was located in the basement of the old Grace Lutheran Church on Ransom Street. The inspiration of Professor of Philosophy Seale Doss and Professor of English James Bowditch, the Brand Rex opened its doors on November 3, 1965. A nominal membership fee was its chief source of income. It provided a forum for campus discussion and debate, music, amateur theatricals, dialog with campus speakers, and, of course, a place to enjoy espresso. Its name came from the Brand Rex label on the telephone cable spools from which its first tables were built. (References: Crimson: 1966, p.8; 1967, p.66; 1968, p.130.)

Cavalry Rendezvous Plaque
A nearly-square stone plaque, set in the ground near the walkways to the southeast of East Hall, just inside the campus grounds. It commemorates the gathering of Amy troops stationed on the campus during the first year of the Civil War, when the College was not in session.

On the plaque is inscribed the following legend:

Rendezvous 1st Wisc. Car.
Aug. 15 to Nov. 23, 1861
Semi-Centennial
1st and 4th Wisc. Car.
1861-1911

College Inn
JOSEPHINE KING ............ Preceptress
LORRAINE BRENNER .......... President
BERNICE LYONS ............. Vice-President
DOROTHY LLOYD ............. Secretary-Treasurer

"NOTE: During the period of the S.A.T.C., Bartlett Hall was converted into a barracks for the enlisted men. Because of this condition many of the girls have spent the school year in a temporary dormitory, "College Inn." Next year, we trust, will find our co-eds back in their home on the campus."
In the fall of 1918, the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) brought 200 soldiers to the College. Women students found themselves relocated completely off campus in the Hotel LeRoy (later the Davis Hotel), where all the ladies ate their meals, and in three of the four houses along the west side of Woodside Avenue: the president's home (now Hughes House), Scribner House (later the dean's home at 416), and Harwood House. The LeRoy, renamed the College Inn, was rather spartan, with inadequate heat and only one bathtub; nevertheless, the women chose to stay there rather than return to Bartlett when the SATC disbanded in December. Three months of use by the Army had turned 'the cottage' into a shambles.
The presence of the SATC was short-lived because the war ended in November of 1918, but it was intense. Classrooms were filled with uniforms; bugles sounded throughout the day between first call at 6:30 a.m. and taps at 10 p.m.; men with real rifles drilled in the streets of Ripon and stood guard duty around the campus. Classes continued to function on a coeducational basis, but steps were taken to assure a decent separation of the sexes after hours. It was an exercise in patriotism with seriocomic overtones, but there was nothing lighthearted about its implementation.

The SATC led almost immediately to ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps), hut, even more significantly, it sent to campuses thousands of enlisted men whom the Army thought qualified for college work but who would not other wise have gone. They were discharged when the program ended, but both the government and the schools encouraged them to remain; many did so, using state bonuses for veterans (at least in Wisconsin) to pay for their new-found educational opportunities. As a result, the college population of the country increased dramatically.

First Congregational Church

North of East Hall, at 220 Ransom Street. Served as college chapel for a time. According to Tomkies, it was the "college church," and "during that time the church-ground was a part of the campus." The chapel bell was used to call students to class and as a fire alarm, as well as for chapel.

Genesis Statue

Located just south of the retaining wall that runs between Middle and West Halls. It is the work of Clarence A. Shaler, a Ripon preparatory student in the 1870s, who gave it to the College in commemoration of his student days. The sculpture, which is of metal, is set in a backdrop of stone, and represents an idealized figure lifting one hand heavenwards.

Hillside Cemetary
A private cemetery, going back to the origins of the city of Ripon. Located on Congress Street across from Merriman House, behind Pickard Commons and Memorial Hall.

Hughes Walk
Named for Dr. R.C. Hughes, President of the College from 1901 to 1908. Hughes Walk is spelled out in three metal plaques, embedded in the sidewalks -- on Seward Street at bottom of the "Hill," and at either end of the walk that goes in front of East, Middle and West Halls.

Below is the History of Hughes Walk from the College Days, Tues., Nov. 15, 1921.
Scribe Solves Old Mystery Of Hughes Walk
As you hurry over the campus sidewalk day after day, do you ever wonder about their history, or why the plates, Hughes Walk, have been inserted in several places? The Freshman, perhaps, have pondered over the question more than the upper classmen. But it is quite probable that a goodly number of upper classmen and even some members of the faculty would me interested in the matter.

The cement sidewalks were given to Ripon College in 1907 by Mrs. F. Upham. The walk leading from the street to Smith hall, Ingram hall, thence to the college chapel was the first to be laid. The "beaten path" was followed in most cases. However, the graceful curves of the walk leading from Bartlett hall to Ingram hall had to be straightened. It was also raised to a higher level in the valley, giving it a turnpike appearance.

The plates, Hughes Walk, were gived to the college by F. W. Upham of Chicago, in honor of Dr. Richard C. Hughes, during whose presidency the walks were built. Dr. Hughes was president of Ripon College from 1901 to 1909. Under him Ripon College passed through a period of material improvement. Buildings were completely remodeled and modernized. The faculty was enlarged, courses of study were strengthened and the attendance tripled.

Lincoln Statue

Carved in bronze by Clarence A. Shaler, alumnus, this is a somewhat more than life-size statue of young Lincoln standing. It arrived on campus in May 1949.

Peace Garden

Located southeast of Lane Library, the Peace Garden was created in 2003 by Professor Joe Hatcher's Peace Studies class. The Garden consists of two benches encircling a wooden spike that reads "Peace on Earth" in four languages.

Sadoff Field, Upper and Lower
On Thorne and Union up to the Quads, used for baseball, soccer, lacrosse and intramural activities. Originally the Penke property for the previous owners. A baseball field was built here in 1961 with funds provided by the Sadoff Foundation. The field was named in honor of Howard Sadoff, recently deceased son of Ben Sadoff, a trustee from Fond du Lac. (Ripon College: A History, p. 204). A scoreboard was donated in the 1980s.

Tennis Courts

Tennis Courts in 1932 on the present site of Harwood Memorial Union, with the Little White Schoolhouse in the background
Six tennis courts; Located off Thorne Street, adjacent to Kemper. In 1956, 4 new tennis courts were constructed and two older ones were resurfaced (according to Ripon College: A History, p. 204). Refurbished in 1990.

Wisconsin State Historical Marker

Located on Ransom Street in front of East Hall. Erected in 1972 to commemorate the founding of Ripon College in 1851 and the first three buildings on the campus: East, Middle and West. The inscription reads:
"Ripon College Incorporated January 29, 1851. The first College building, East Hall, was staked out that spring by Ripon city founders David Mapes and Alvan Bovay. Chartered as Brockway College, it became Ripon College in 1864 and graduated its first class, four women, in 1867. Although private and non-sectarian, it was given support by the Winnebago Convention of Presbyterian and Congregational Churches until 1868. A regiment of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry was mobilized here during the Civil war. The three original College buildings are still in use."

References: Tomkies, p.12; Ripon College: A History, Ripon College Catalogs.