On the west side of the "plank road" (now Main Street) stands one of the four structures remaining from the early days of the college -- the Helper Hotel, as it became known after 1855. Built by the Dinkins family in 1848 as a general store and resting spot for travelers, part of the building was converted to an inn by Hanson Pinkey Helper, who managed the place from 1855 to the turn of the century. A brother of Hinton Rowan Helper, who raised the ire of the antebellum South with his book "The Impending Crisis of the South", Pink Helper made his hotel and store a popular spot for Davidson and her visitors. Since its restoration in 1971, the building, now known as the Carolina Inn, has housed the Honors College, the Center for Special Studies and the Dean Rusk Program in International Studies. It is presently home for many faculty offices.
Davidson in the 1850's - Helper Hotel without its windows walk or its balcony over the street - Back of Eu Hall across the street.
The image is a scan from the 1894-95 College Catalogue, page 32.
This wall is located south of the current Davidson College President's House, in front of the Alumni Guest House.
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Mailing Address: Davidson College - E.H. Little Library, 209 Ridge Road, Box 5000, Davidson, NC 28035