While most schools market themselves with career-specific courses, innovative labs and successful sports programs, Auburn achieves all these, situated in an idyllic college town.
Samford Hall, facing east on South College Street, is Auburn’s most famous landmark. After East Alabama Male College’s large classroom building, called “Old Main,” burned down in 1887, some of its bricks were reused in the foundation of a new, all-purpose structure. In 1929, this building was named Samford Hall to honor William James Samford, an Auburn graduate and the 31st governor of Alabama. With its revivalistic style and bright red brick, Samford Hall is the marquee structure of the Auburn University Historic District.
Located just a short walk from Samford Hall, through beloved oak trees routinely adorned with toilet paper, is Toomer’s Corner. At the intersection of West Magnolia Avenue and South College Street, this spot has been the center of block parties for generations of Auburn wins.
Diagonally across the street from Toomer’s Corner is the equally treasured Toomer’s Drugs. Founded in 1896 by Sheldon “Shel” Toomer as a drugstore and reopened after updates in 1999, with the help of the Lipscomb family, Toomer’s Drugs and its iconic lemonade are essential parts of an Auburn game day.
Additionally, on the road between Toomer’s Corner and Toomer’s Drugs is a large tiger paw, which was first painted by students in 1989. The act was labeled “criminal mischief” by the Auburn Police Department, but Auburn’s SGA Spirit Committee continued to paint the paw for more than 25 years until a 2015 renovation made it permanent with brickwork.
Pedestrians wait to cross the street outside Toomer's Drugs on Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026 in Auburn, Ala.
Another paw print can be found at the intersection of West Samford Avenue and South Donahue Drive, just a little bit past War Eagle Road. This musical track, located in the northbound lane of South Donahue Drive, is an engineered rumble strip installed in 2019 that plays the Auburn fight song for drivers going the speed limit as they witness Jordan Hare Stadium’s towering presence in the distance.
Cater Hall stands opposite the Quad Center on the Auburn University Campus on Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026.
In the heart of campus, the neoclassical style of Cater Hall, intricately placed Quad dorms and engineering focused classrooms, all embraced by vibrant azaleas, sprouting tulips and stretching oaks, create a campus where Southern tradition meets academic purpose.
This article is featured in The Auburn Plainsman's Summer 2026 print edition.
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Tripp Hedden, junior in finance and business, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2025. Hedden previously served as a News Writer and News Reporter. He is currently serving as the Assistant News Editor.
