Milligan Tennessee Milligan College Main Building Rear View Real Photo Postcard

Pardee Hall, originally known simply as the "Main Building" at Milligan College in Tennessee, stands as the institution's oldest structure. Constructed in stages beginning in 1872, with significant brick expansion completed in 1875, it initially housed virtually all college functions, including classrooms, administrative offices, a chapel, and dormitories. Its brick construction with a distinctive cupola and gable dormers reflects the common architectural style for educational buildings in the late 19th century.

Milligan College, founded in 1866 as a co-educational liberal arts institution, played a vital role in providing higher education in rural East Tennessee. The presence of students in the postcard, likely dating from the early 20th century, illustrates the active academic life centered around this building during a period of growth for regional colleges. Pardee Hall’s endurance symbolizes Milligan's lasting commitment to education and its historical significance within the landscape of Appalachian higher learning.