William Addison "Add" Caldwell--Virginia Tech's First Student

Craig County · dedicated 1997 · Rte. 42, at intersection with Rte. 625

Three miles north of here stands the childhood home of William Addison "Add" Caldwell. He walked about 28 miles to Blacksburg on 1 October 1872 and became the first student to register at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, now Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Graduating in 1876, Caldwell was elected secretary of his class alumni association. He worked as a teacher, clerk, and salesman before his death on 29 June 1910. He is buried in Radford, Virginia.

Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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