Photograph of the demolition of the old Abilene Hall after the fire that damaged the building. A man can be seen standing on rubble next to a truck with piles of bricks in the foreground.

Photograph of firefighters attempting to control the fire at Old Abilene Hall, showing groups of firemen pointing hoses at the second-story windows. A group of helpful students carrying rubble in a wheelbarrow can be seen going down the front entrance steps.

Photograph of the Old Abilene Hall on fire, showing a large plume of smoke emanating from the roof of the building. A large crowd of people has gathered on the side of the building to watch the fire.

Aerial photograph of the Hardin-Simmons University campus looking northwest with the Sandefer Memorial, Abilene Hall, and Marston Gym in the center of the frame. The existence of Rose Field House and the absence of the Benhrens Chapel indicate this photo was taken between 1947 and 1961.

Aerial photograph of the Hardin-Simmons University campus looking north with the Sandefer Memorial, Anderson Hall, and Compere Hall in the center of the frame. Portions of the campus, such as Hunter Hall, are not shown within the frame of the photo.

Aerial photograph of the Hardin-Simmons University campus looking northwest with Marston Gym and football field in the center of the frame.

Photograph of the original Abilene Hall at Hardin-Simmons University on fire. A large plume of black smoke is pictured emanating from the top of the building. Two students are in the forefront of the picture, watching the building burn.

Photograph of the demolition of the old Abilene Hall at Hardin-Simmons University after a destructive fire in 1947. Shows the brick building with only three walls left standing. A pile of bricks and rubble from the demolition of a wall sits in front of the building. A telephone pole and several trees and shrubs surround the building.

Photograph of the old Abilene Hall fire, showing smoke rising from the roof and a fire engine parked alongside the building. A firefighter can be seen standing at the top of a ladder mounted to the fire engine. A sign on the building reads, “Hardin-Simmons Book Store.” A large crowd of people, most likely evacuated employees, stand across the street from the burning building.

Photograph of the Hardin-Simmons University Abilene Hall building on fire, taken from a distance. Photograph shows smoke rising up from behind a row of houses. In the foreground, a barbed wire fence and a bare field can be seen. Handwritten note on the back of the photograph reads, “Abilene Hall burning - H.S.U 10 Feb. 47 -- Taken from backyard of where I live - 1024 N. 21st.”

Photograph of the original Abilene Hall at Hardin-Simmons University on fire. A crowd is shown in the foreground, looking up at the smoke coming from the top of the structure.

Photograph of the original Abilene Hall at Hardin-Simmons University on fire. A firefighter can be seen on the roof of the building. A crowd is shown in the foreground, looking up at the smoke coming from the top of the structure.

Photograph of Aileen Culpepper sitting outside on a bench on the Hardin-Simmons campus in Abilene, Texas. She wears a light-colored skirt suit with a string of pearls and ankle strap pumps. A brick school building and several trees can be seen in the background.

Photograph of a member of the Cowgirl Band standing in a front of a microphone on a stand. She wears a dark-colored flowing blouse with a satin scarf around the collar and trousers.

Photograph of four Hardin-Simmons University students in front of a car and a campus building. One of the men shines the bumped of the car with a rag.

Photograph of Hunter Memorial Hall at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Typed note taped to the bottom of the photo reads, "Hunter Memorial Hall serves as a women's dormitory."

Photograph of Hunter Memorial Hall at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.

Photograph of several students on the front steps of Hunter Memorial Hall at Hardin-Simmons University.

Photograph of Hunter Memorial Hall at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.

Photograph of Hunter Memorial Hall at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.

Photograph of the Rose Field House building at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, moved from Camp Barkeley to the Hardin-Simmons campus in 1947 and removed in 1976. Taken from an angle, this photograph shows the metal building sign letters and a portion of the front porch and awning.

Photograph of Rose Field House during construction on the Hardin-Simmons University campus. Workers can be seen putting shingles on the roof, and construction equipment is parked in the path running in front of the building.

Photograph of the exterior of Rose Field House at Hardin-Simmons University.

Photograph of a Hardin-Simmons University event inside the Rose Field House, showing a speaker at a podium. The photo has been taken from the center aisle and at a distance from the risers in front of the crowd.