Elnathan Hall at Knoxville College, a historically Black college, burns on Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo: Angela Dennis)
On Monday night, a devastating fire engulfed an abandoned building at Knoxville College, reducing it to ashes for the second time in its storied history and throwing another obstacle in the path of school leaders working to academically and physically restore the college.
Originally built in 1893 as a girl’s dormitory, Elnathan Hall later served as an administration building and classroom facility. It first burned down on the campus of East Tennessee’s only historically Black college 126 years ago, in 1896, before being rebuilt in 1898.
Frank Shanklin, a member of Knoxville College’s Board of Trustees , said that Elnathan Hall was included among several campus buildings that were boarded up and had not been occupied for more than 40 years. He said the fire is another step backward for the institution as it continues to seek accreditation.
“Despite efforts by someone to destroy this building, we remain positive about the future of Knoxville College and have committed to keeping the campus safe and have been working with the city to make sure these buildings are secure,” said Shanklin.