Rugby Colony.2C 1880.E2.80.931887 Rugby, Tennessee

thomas hughes library, built 1882

franklin w. smith, responsible rugby s layout, chose townsite rugby resort-like qualities, though 7 miles (11 km) nearest railroad stop @ sedgemoor (modern elgin). colony s first frame structure, known asylum (now pioneer cottage), erected in 1880, , first wave of colonists constructed tennis , croquet courts, , built walkway meeting of waters. within few months, several residences had been completed, along three-story tabard inn, named southwark hostelry in canterbury tales.

thomas hughes on hand colony s opening on october 5, 1880, , gave speech laid out plans rugby. colonists required invest $5 in commissary, ensuring public ownership. personal freedoms guaranteed, although sale of alcohol banned. colony build episcopal church, building used denomination. on opening day, tennessee s episcopal bishop, right reverend charles quintard, chartered christ church , licensed colonist joseph blacklock lay reader.

american publications such new york times , harper s weekly , london publications such spectator, saturday review, , punch, followed colony s progress. rugby published own newspaper, rugbeian, edited oxford graduate osmond dakeyne, , several colonists formed library , reading room society, headed tübingen graduate edward bertz. in summer 1881, typhoid outbreak killed 7 colonists—including dakeyne—and forced tabard inn close cleansing, colony recovered. 1884, colony boasted on 400 residents, 65 frame public buildings , houses, tennis team, social club, , literary , dramatic society. in 1885, rugby established university, arnold school, named rugby school headmaster thomas arnold.