Many students are familiar with the old lathe next to Samford Hall, but not everyone may know about the Auburn tradition that has become of it.
Sarah Tate, 2015 graduate, said she remembers the tradition being about whether or not one found their true love at Auburn.
“From what I do remember, it's the place where a man brings his special lady to kiss her, and if the wheel moves then she's not ‘the one,'” Tate said.
The lathe has a plaque explaining its origin and other facts associated with the Civil War relic presented by Alpha Phi Omega in 1952, according to its plaque.
“Built in Selma, Alabama, during the early part of the Civil War for the manufacture of military supplies for the Confederate Army,” the plaque reads. “During the war an attempt was made to move it to Columbus, Georgia, to prevent its being seized by Federal troops.”
According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, the Selma Naval Foundry used gun lathes to produce weapons for the confederate army during the Civil War.
The plaque explains how it was used during the Civil War.
“En route, it was buried for a time near Irondale, Alabama," the plaque reads. "When the danger of capture had passed, it was dug up and moved to Columbus, where it was used for boring cannon until the end of the war."
According to the plaque, the lathe was used by different companies before begin presented to Auburn University, which was called Alabama Polytechnic Institute at the time.
“After the war, the lathe was used by the Birmingham Rolling Mills, which later became part of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company,” the plaque reads, “In 1936 that company presented this historic lathe to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.”
Another Auburn tradition that has lasted through the years is the seal, which students are advised not to step on.
Maddy Bonifay, junior in chemical engineering, said she found out about the tradition at Camp War Eagle in the worst way.
"I had never been to auburn before and when we walked in front of Langdon I heard someone gasp," Bonifay said. "I was so confused but when I looked down I knew I probably wasn't supposed to be standing on it."
Bonifay said after weeks of getting a hard time from friends, she decided to go to the, now filled in, pond behind Samford Hall to lift the alleged curse that comes from stepping on the seal.
"It was completely green and looked black at night. I took a cup, got some water and almost threw up as I swallowed it," Bonifay said. "It was so nasty, but I definitely take all of the auburn traditions very seriously now."
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