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Marshbanks Light Mystery Solved
by Jared Cohn
The mysterious Marshbanks light bulb
Kathy Wallin with Christmas Basket prize donated by Mars Hill Florists Dewey and Lisa Brown
Bill States with Papa Nick's Pizza Certificate |
Has the question of the Marshbanks mystery light been answered?
Kathy Wallin, Class of '51 and alumni secretary from 1951-1988, called into the Hilltop to say that she was here when the light was in use.
"There was only one security guard for the whole college. His name was Pop Tolley." She says when he would see the light turn on, he would rush down to Marshbanks and check with an attendant there to see what the problem was.
"The reason I know is, I used it," says Wallin. "When I first came here, that's how we got hold of security. I had a number that I would call." She adds, "He was pretty fast on the trigger. It wouldn't take him long to get there."
The light is visible from most anywhere on campus, and the security guard had no car, much less a radio to receive calls. The Marshbanks light was the way to reach the security guard and receive assistance quickly. Click here for her full account.
Jim Fish, physical plant director from 1957-1986, came a few years after Wallin first arrived. He confirms that the light was in use when he came and continued to be used for a number of years after he arrived. "The security at the time did not have radios, and when there was an emergency of some kind, that was the method by which we got in touch with the security men. It could be seen from any place on campus." Fish says also that he remembers that the light used was red.
"For a long time there was only one security man. Then we hired a second one, and we finally ended up with a third, but by that time we had radios." It was at this time that the Marshbanks security light may have been phased out.
Like so many things in life, with the coming of better and newer technology, things in the past become obsolete. It has been so long since the light bulb has been in use that most have no idea what it was used for, and many do not even realize it is up there. The light was a major part of the campus history and helped provide security for the Mars Hill student. Now we have cell phones and many security guards to assist us when in trouble, but it's a good feeling to know the light is still up there, ready to shine if ever there is a need.
Winners of the Hilltop contest were Kathy Wallin and Junior Bill States.
Wallin received an ornamental Christmas basket, courtesy of Dewey and Lisa Brown of Mars Hill Florists on South
Main Street.
Bill States will receive a gift certificate for a pizza, courtesy of Papa Nicks Original Pizza.
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