By April C. Armstrong *14

In this week’s installment in our recurring series, an alum reflects on Princeton’s appearance, the University president defends the institution, and more.

March 18, 1925—Henry Fairfield Osborn, Class of 1877, speculates, “When the eye of James McCosh first surveyed the Princeton campus, he must have been struck with its barren simplicity, poverty of design and construction, and general ugliness…”

March 19, 1954—Princeton president Harold W. Dodds defends the institution against accusations that it and other colleges “are full of Communists and subversive fellow travelers,” saying “Throughout their whole history universities, when they are alive and kicking, have been attacked as challengers and underminers of tradition.”

March 20, 1845—Newark’s Centinel of Freedom reports that the building that once housed Princeton’s post office “has been converted into a very elegant and fashionable fancy store.”

March 23, 1883—A story in the Princetonian warns of the dangers of overusing hashish, which, though unpopular among students, is available for purchase in town. The story claims that a student had become addicted to the drug after buying the entire town’s supply. “It was then discovered that he was a raving maniac.”

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.