Our lobby art collection is more than decoration—it’s a curated Auburn experience. Featuring photographs from Auburn University Photographic Services and historical notes from Auburn: A Pictorial History of the Loveliest Village, each image tells a story of resilience, tradition, and community. From campus milestones to beloved landmarks, these pieces invite you to pause and connect with Auburn’s heritage while enjoying the comfort of our auburn hotel art exhibit.
This photograph shows API students waiting at Auburn’s train station in 1942, ready to leave for ROTC summer camp at Fort McPherson. Among them stands All-American halfback Monk Gafford, his dark letterman sweater a symbol of pride and perseverance. This image reflects Auburn’s enduring spirit—where education and service intertwine, and every journey begins with purpose.
In 1924, Auburn’s northern edge became home to a 64-foot Nehi Bottle—a bright orange beacon housing a grocery, service station, and observation tower. Even President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited this whimsical structure before it was lost to a mid-1930s fire. The Bottle remains a cherished memory, reminding us of Auburn’s unique character and its knack for creating stories worth sharing.
This historic image captures Auburn’s early faculty, leaders whose names now grace campus buildings. Figures like Charles C. Thach, James H. Lane, and George Petrie laid the foundation for Auburn’s academic excellence. Their dedication to education and progress echoes through every classroom today, a testament to the enduring values that define Auburn University.
In this photo, an Auburn drum major commands the band before a roaring crowd in 1960. The image radiates energy and unity, hallmarks of Auburn’s game-day traditions. It’s more than music. It’s a celebration of spirit that continues to inspire generations of Tigers.
Known as “the Flush,” Sani-Freeze opened in 1962, serving shakes, sundaes, and sandwiches from a tiny Glenn Avenue building. Students cherished this spot for decades, protesting its demolition in 1995. Though gone, its memory lingers as a reminder of Auburn’s close-knit community and the simple joys that define college-town life.
War Eagle I’s story began on a farm near Auburn, where it was rescued and cared for by cheerleaders. Purchased for $10, this majestic bird became Auburn’s good luck charm, witnessing a victory over South Carolina in 1930. Its wings carried more than feathers. They carried the spirit of Auburn, igniting a tradition that soars to this day.
This photo immortalizes Auburn’s 1892 football team, victors in one of the South’s earliest major games—a 10-0 triumph over Georgia. Led by Coach George Petrie, the roster even included professors, proving Auburn’s passion for sport runs deep. This moment marked the beginning of a legacy that continues to electrify Jordan-Hare Stadium.
In 1943, Auburn’s Woman’s Quadrangle housed soldiers in the Army Specialized Training Program. Female students displaced by the war moved into empty fraternity houses, adapting to a new reality. This image reflects Auburn’s resilience and unity during challenging times, a campus that stood strong for both education and service.
This 1913 photo of Toomer’s Drugs captures a beloved Auburn ritual. Hugh Tamplin, bowtie and all, served countless sodas at the marble counter students called “Hugh’s Bar.” More than a store, Toomer’s became a cornerstone of Auburn life. This is a place where friendships formed and traditions began.
Taken by a Maxwell Field pilot in 1930, this aerial photo reveals Auburn’s evolving campus. Samford Hall stands proudly at the center, surrounded by landmarks like Cater Hall and the Alumni Gym. Even the old water tower behind Toomer’s bears painted class numerals—a playful tradition frozen in time. This image reminds us how Auburn’s roots continue to shape its future.
Walking into our lobby feels like opening Auburn’s photo album—each image a doorway to the traditions, triumphs, and timeless spirit that make Auburn unforgettable.
