The Citadel

Welcome to The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. As we embark on a scholarly examination of this sprawling, meticulously ordered campus, it is essential to establish the profound historical context that birthed…

While we currently stand on the modern campus near Hampton Park, it is crucial to understand the geographical history of the college. The original Citadel was located several miles south, situated on the north side of the ten…

As we walk along the perimeter of the magnificent central Parade Ground, observe the strict geometric precision of the campus layout. The architecture here is heavily influenced by the Moorish Revival style, characterized by its…

Let us direct our attention to the formidable barracks structures, the crucible where civilian students are systematically transformed into military cadets. The process begins on a sweltering Saturday in August, known as…

Standing near the administrative center of the college, we must reflect on the profound demographic shifts that have slowly transformed the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. For over a century, The Citadel was an exclusively white,…

As we observe the cadets moving between classes, it is critical to address another monumental paradigm shift in the history of The Citadel: the admission of female cadets. For over one hundred and fifty years, the institution…

Our final stop within the campus proper is the campus museum, a repository that meticulously chronicles the many decades of the college's existence. Inside, you will find extensive exhibits detailing the lives of the famous…

As we conclude our comprehensive tour of The Citadel, let us synthesize the complex dualities that define this space. This is an institution born from the horrific anxieties of a slaveholding society, specifically designed to…