National Historic Landmark · Talladega, Alabama

Swayne Hall

United States historic place in Talladega, Alabama. Added to the National Register in 1974, and a National Historic Landmark.

US-AL(1891) p035 MONTGOMERY, COLORED SCHOOLSAlabama - Swayne Hall - 20220711111319Alabama - Swayne Hall - 20220711111425Alabama - Swayne Hall - 20220711113655
Photos via Wikimedia Commons · 4 in the Commons category

What it is

Swayne Hall is the oldest building on the campus of Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, United States. It was built in 1857 by slaves for use by a Baptist men's college. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974 for Talladega College's role as one of the few historically black colleges and universities to maintain a liberal arts focus. It was the only liberal arts college open to black Americans in Alabama for many years.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The record

Property typeBuilding
AddressTalladega College campus, Talladega, AL
CountyTalladega County
ListedDec 2, 1974
Listed forBlack heritage, Education
Level of significanceNational
Reference number74002223
Type of placeuniversity building
DesignationsNational Historic Landmark, National Register of Historic Places contributing property
Contributing resources1 building

The nomination form, the document that argues why this place matters, is in the National Archives: Read the nomination ↗

Visiting

AddressTalladega College campus, Talladega, AL
Coordinates33.4295° N, 86.1175° W · Directions ↗
Nearest national park unitFreedom Riders National Monument · 19 miles · on Park Atlas
Federal campgrounds nearbyTurnipseed Campground 16 miles
This one you can go inside. Hours and admission change with the season; the website above has the current schedule.

Explore

Map

Local history books for Talladega County

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Haunted Talladega County
    Kim Johnston and Shane Busby, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org

Guidebooks to historic places and travel in Alabama

  • Iron & steel
    James R Bennett, 2010
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Exploring Wild Alabama
    Kenneth M. Wills and Dr. L. J. Davenport, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Haunted Talladega County
    Kim Johnston and Shane Busby, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

When was Swayne Hall listed on the National Register?

Dec 2, 1974. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.

Source: National Park Service

Can I visit Swayne Hall?

Yes. Swayne Hall is recorded as open to the public.

Source: Wikidata

Where is Swayne Hall?

Talladega College campus, Talladega, Talladega County, Alabama. The nearest national park unit is Freedom Riders National Monument, 19 miles away.

Source: Freedom Riders National Monument

Are there historic photographs or drawings of Swayne Hall?

Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.

Source: Library of Congress

Where is the nomination form for Swayne Hall?

The National Archives holds the nomination form, the document that made the case for listing.

Source: National Archives

Are there campgrounds near Swayne Hall?

One federal campground is within reach, Turnipseed Campground, 16 miles away.

Source: Campsite Atlas

Is there cell service at Swayne Hall?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G and AT&T 5G at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

Sources

Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 74002223. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The description under "What it is" is the opening of the Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.