Fire Destroys Oakhurst Dormitory at Oak Ridge Institute, Oct. 20, 1923

Oak Ridge Institute Became Oak Ridge Military Academy in 1929

Fire Destroys a College Building. . . About 30 Students Homeless at Oak Ridge—Most Clothing Lost

By the Associated Press

Greensboro, N.C., Oct. 20—Oakhurst dormitory at Oak Ridge Institute, 18 miles from Greensboro, was destroyed by fire tonight at 8 o’clock of an unknown origin. The dormitory houses about 30 students and the family of a professor, who lost most of their wearing apparel.

The students are being cared for comfortably throughout the collegiate town, said Prof. T.E. Whitaker, president of the institution. Plans have already been started to build a fireproof dormitory to house 100 students.

Oakhurst was one of the oldest structures at the institution, having been at one time the home of Prof. Martin H. Holt, founder of Oak Ridge. The loss is estimated at around $15,000 with about $6,000 insurance.

From the front page of the Sunday Morning Herald, Durham, N.C., Oct. 21, 1923