Haygood Gymnasium (1954)

The College had to replace the first Haygood Gymnasium, which had been destroyed by fire on December 14 1952, the first and only serious fire at Henderson since 1929. The building burned shortly after it had been closed following a fraternity dance. The cause of the fire was not determined; but, according to one theory, the fire spread rapidly because of Christmas decorations in the large hall. Since the Gymnasium was destroyed, the Physical Education Department had to transfer its activities and classes to Day Armory and other buildings available on the campus.

On June 26, 1953, the Board awarded contracts for the construction of a new Gymnasium. Erected on the same location as the former building, the new, larger Haygood Gymnasium contained a swimming pool, basketball court, locker and dressing rooms, three classrooms, and two offices. It retained the name of former Henderson athletics coach James Raymond “Smiling Jimmy” Haygood.

The building was completed in June, 1954, at a cost of over $160,000. Henderson incurred no debt in the construction of the new Haygood Gymnasium. The College had collected $34,000 in insurance on the old structure and $1,000.00 on its contents; had received an appropriation of $50,000 from the General Assembly; and had furnished $76,500 from the school's accumulated reserves to complete the sum of $161,500.