{"id":10742,"date":"2014-09-05T07:00:04","date_gmt":"2014-09-05T11:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/creative.clemson.edu\/clemsonworld\/?p=10742"},"modified":"2014-09-05T07:00:04","modified_gmt":"2014-09-05T11:00:04","slug":"coming-home-clemson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clemson.world\/archive\/coming-home-clemson\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Home to Clemson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fall has arrived in Clemson. A hint of color is beginning to show in the trees, evening temperatures are cooling off (just ever so slightly) and the First Friday Parade has come and gone. Every Friday, but more so on game weekends, traffic picks up as alumni returning to campus cruise down College Avenue with tops down and windows open.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Conversations on the street vary, but at least once in every block, you hear snippets that reference the Study Hall or Capri\u2019s, Chanello\u2019s or the Fashion Shack. Judge Keller\u2019s and Mr. Knickerbocker and the Athletic Department have customers 2-3 deep replacing worn-out t-shirts and sweatshirts, and selecting baby-sized Tiger apparel for new members of the family. Stocking up on items (orange items, that is) that you don\u2019t find just anywhere.
\nLike everywhere, Clemson has changed over the years, both the campus and the town. With growth in enrollment has come growth on campus \u2014 new residence halls, classroom buildings and athletic facilities. In town, restaurants and bars have changed names and menus, and more neighborhoods and apartments are built every year. But if you spend some time here, re-trace your favorite path through campus and stroll down College Avenue and onto side streets, we\u2019re betting you\u2019ll still find a lot of those places that will spark memories and stories your kids have never heard.
\nSo, as you\u2019re making plans for this fall, take time to return to Clemson.<\/p>\n

\n

It still feels like home.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

10 THINGS NOT TO MISS ON CAMPUS<\/h3>\n

\tIce Cream in the Hendrix Center\tIce Cream in the Hendrix Center<\/span><\/span><\/a>
Ice Cream in the Hendrix Center<\/a> Carillon Garden<\/a> Scroll of Honor<\/a> Indoor Football Practice Facility<\/a> Life Sciences Building<\/a> Howard's Rock<\/a> Bowman Field Volleyball<\/a> Walk down Hwy 93 past historic Riggs Field<\/a> Fort Hill<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\nICE CREAM IN THE \u201955 EXCHANGE<\/strong>: Yes, it\u2019s real Clemson ice cream, even if it\u2019s not sold out of Newman Hall. A double scoop of peach ice cream will still have you drooling before you get your spoon in it. You can get real Clemson blue cheese at the same spot. If you have a yen to see where it all began, you can make it to Stumphouse Tunnel in less than an hour. While you\u2019re there, don\u2019t miss the opportunity to hike down Issaqueena Falls.
\nCARILLON GARDEN:<\/strong> Nestled between Sikes and Tillman halls and overlooking the library, Carillon Garden was given to the University by the Class of \u201943 and is dedicated as a lasting tribute to the entire class, particularly to those who lost their lives during World War II.
\nMEMORIAL PARK AND SCROLL OF HONOR:<\/strong> Across from Memorial Stadium, Memorial Park pays tribute to alumni who have served the state and nation in fields ranging from agriculture to the military. The Scroll of Honor is maintained by the Clemson Corps and honors alumni who gave their lives in service to country.
\nFOOTBALL PRACTICE FACILITY:<\/strong> Dedicated in 2013, this 80,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the football practice fields and indoor track facility includes a full-sized synthetic turf football field.
\nLIFE SCIENCES BUILDING:<\/strong> Facing Cherry Road, just adjacent to the P&A building, this facility houses researchers in microbiology, biochemistry, food safety and genetics who are collaborating to solve the world\u2019s problems.
\nHOWARD\u2019S ROCK:<\/strong> Not quite as large as it was originally, the rock now has video surveillance to make sure it doesn\u2019t fall victim to vandals again. Originally from Death Valley, Calif., the rock was first placed on a pedestal at the top of the hill in 1966. Players rub it for luck as they run down the hill before each home game.
\nPRESIDENT\u2019S PARK:<\/strong> Located in front of the President\u2019s Home and extending through the Azalea Gardens to Sikes Hall, this is one of the most beautiful places on campus. Housed in the park is the President\u2019s Park Rotunda. In conjunction with the Class of 1957, the rotunda was built to portray Clemson\u2019s historical responsibilities of teaching, research and public service.
\nBOWMAN FIELD:<\/strong> Bring your Frisbee, your football, your blanket or just your best relaxed self. Spend some time on Bowman Field and relive your days on Clemson\u2019s green beach.
\nWALK DOWN HWY 93 PAST HISTORIC RIGGS FIELD:<\/strong> You can now do that without fearing for your life, thanks to a newly constructed pedestrian walkway.
\nFORT HILL:<\/strong> Learn a little history while you\u2019re here, and tour Fort Hill, the home of John C. Calhoun and later of his son-in-law, University founder Thomas Green Clemson and his wife Anna Maria. A registered National Historic Landmark, it\u2019s located in the center of campus. Open Mon.\u2013Sat., 10 a.m.\u2013noon and 1\u20134:30 p.m., Sun, 2-4:30 p.m.
\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S STILL HERE<\/h3>\n

\tJudge Keller's\tJudge Keller’s <\/span><\/span><\/a>
Judge Keller's<\/a> ESSO Club<\/a> M.H. Frank<\/a> Mr. Knickerbocker<\/a> The Tiger Sports Shop<\/a> Allen's Creation<\/a> Tiger Town Tavern<\/a> TD's<\/a> Tigertown Graphics<\/a> Variety and Frame<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\nSure, things have changed here \u2014 but not everything. Regardless of when you graduated from Clemson, you\u2019ll find an old favorite haunt still open, if updated. Here\u2019s just a sampling:
\nJUDGE KELLER\u2019S (1899)<\/strong>: It\u2019s been in its current location since 1936, and about the only things that have changed are the faces behind the register and the style of the t-shirts.
\nESSO CLUB (1933)<\/strong>: A service station at its beginning, this was the only place in Clemson where you could sit down and have a beer between 1956\u20131958. Legend has it that the bar top is made of old stadium seats from Death Valley. In 1997, Sports Illustrated named it one of the top sports bars in the country.
\nMAC\u2019S DRIVE-IN (1965)<\/strong>: Built by the late Mac McKeown \u201956, Mac\u2019s is still serving burgers and fries on Pendleton Road. Make sure you ask for a milkshake while you\u2019re there.
\nM.H. FRANK (1970)<\/strong>: Billing themselves as \u201cUpdated Traditional Men\u2019s Clothiers,\u201d the folks at M.H. Frank have been making sure Clemson men are ready for every occasion for more than 40 years.
\nPIXIE & BILL\u2019S (1971)<\/strong>: Offering steak, prime rib and seafood, it\u2019s been called \u201cClemson\u2019s original fine dining establishment.\u201d Co-eds used to say that a trip to Pixie and Bill\u2019s (or its sister restaurant Calhoun Corners) was a sign that a relationship was getting serious.
\nMR. KNICKERBOCKER (1973)<\/strong>: Opened as a men\u2019s clothier in 1973, the store shifted to carry fraternity and sorority apparel as well as Clemson merchandise and hand-sewn jerseys.
\nTIGER SPORTS SHOP (1974)<\/strong>: Opened by legendary soccer coach I.M. Ibrahim, the store grew from selling shoes to offering a wide range of Clemson apparel and memorabilia.
\nALLEN\u2019S CREATIONS (1976)<\/strong>: Begun in Trent Allen\u2019s basement, it\u2019s been in the current location since 1988, providing art prints and framing for all things Clemson.
\nTIGER TOWN TAVERN (1977)<\/strong>: It\u2019s expanded since\u00a0it opened in the 1970s to\u00a0include outside seating and a\u00a0second-floor private club, but\u00a0you can still play a game of\u00a0pool while you catch up with\u00a0friends.
\nNICK\u2019S (1976)<\/strong>: Opened by Nick Vatakis and Milton Antonakos on the site of what used to be Pat Belew\u2019s Gold Nugget, Nick\u2019s is now owned\/managed by Esther Revis-Wagner and her husband Ken, a retired biology
\nprofessor.
\nCOLUMBOS\u2019 (1984)<\/strong>: Tucked behind the National Guard Armory on Pendleton Road, Columbo\u2019s has been serving Chicago-style pizza and calzones since the early 1980s.
\nTDS (1988)<\/strong>: Offering daily specials plus a \u201cmeat and three\u201d for lunch, TDs also is the spot for occasional live music on the weekends.
\nTIGERTOWN GRAPHICS (1988)<\/strong>: There\u2019s a good chance your student group got their shirts designed and printed here.
\nVARIETY & FRAME (1992)<\/strong>: Specializing in custom-designed diploma frames, Variety & Frame also offers a wide range of Clemson memorabilia and art supplies.
\nPOT BELLY DELI (1994)<\/strong>: Tucked behind the Rite Aid on Wall Street, Pot Belly almost always has a line of students waiting for sandwiches or a breakfast burrito.
\nSARDI\u2019S DEN (1994)<\/strong>: Started by Louis and Gale Sardinas in 1994, Sardi’s was purchased by alums Irv Harrington and Mike McHenry in 1995. Sardi\u2019s specializes in ribs but has a host of daily specials.
\nBLUE HERON (2002)<\/strong>: Serving steaks, seafood and sushi, Blue Heron also has a downstairs bar with daily specials and live entertainment.
\nMELLOW MUSHROOM (2000)<\/strong>: It\u2019s part of the chain, but doesn\u2019t really feel like it since it occupies the former Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house, which was condemned in 1999. Creative remodeling and a sense of humor combined for the current interior design.
\nSMOKIN\u2019 PIG (2009)<\/strong>: Only open Thursday\u2013Saturday, this family-owned barbecue spot has quickly become a Clemson tradition.
\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n

10 FUN THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU\u2019RE IN CLEMSON<\/h3>\n

\tGame Day Clemson\tGame Day Clemson<\/span><\/span><\/a>
Game Day Clemson<\/a> "90 Minutes Before Kick-off Concert"<\/a> South Carolina Botanical Garden<\/a> Centennial Oak<\/a> South Carolina Botanical Garden<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/div><\/div>
\nPlay a round of golf at the 18-hole championship JOHN E. WALKER SR. GOLF COURSE<\/strong>, with its signature Tiger Paw hole. Call 864-656-0236 to set up a tee time.
\nSpend an afternoon at the SOUTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDEN<\/strong> (take a picnic). Almost 300 acres, it includes formal and informal gardens, woodlands, ponds, walking trails and garden structures such as the nature-based sculpture program. Pick up a map at the Fran Hanson Discovery Center.
\nThe \u201c90 MINUTES BEFORE KICK-OFF CONCERT<\/strong>.\u201d Tiger Band leads this pep rally in the amphitheater before every game. Then head over for Tiger Walk to cheer on the football team as they arrive.
\nSit in a swing at ABERNATHY PARK<\/strong> overlooking Hartwell Lake. Built in 2004 to honor the late Clemson mayor (and Clemson professor), Larry Abernathy, the park includes walkways, boardwalks, picnic tables and boat docks.
\nSTUMPHOUSE TUNNEL AND ISSAQUEENA FALLS<\/strong> (or broaden out and check out the other waterfalls close by). It\u2019s worth the drive to see the birthplace of Clemson Blue Cheese.
\nHIKE THE FOOTHILLS TRAIL<\/strong>. Not the entire 76 miles from Table Rock State Park to Oconee State Park, but you can find sections that range from easy to strenuous. The University has been involved since its inception, and students recently constructed an accessible viewing platform at Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in S.C. Map of Foothills trail<\/a>.
\nTake a hike or a bike ride in the EXPERIMENTAL FOREST<\/strong>. It\u2019s large: 17,500 acres dedicated to education, research and demonstration. There are trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. See maps and pdfs of the Clemson Experimental Forest trails and waterfalls at clemson.edu\/cafls\/cef\/maps_of_trails.html.<\/a>
\n

Take a picture under the CENTENNIAL OAK<\/strong>, the largest bur oak in South Carolina and believed to be more than 100 years old. Four feet shorter than it was in 1988, it\u2019s considered \u201cover mature.\u201d That means you need to take your picture this year, not next.
\nWander through CEMETERY HILL<\/strong>. It\u2019s a favorite place to tailgate, and it\u2019s full of Clemson history. If you\u2019re a cemetery buff, you might find some headstones worth a rubbing. Take a virtual tour<\/a>.
\nIf it\u2019s GAME DAY<\/strong>, get to campus early and enjoy the excitement. There\u2019s nothing like it anywhere else.<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Centennial<\/a>
\n

Video Extra<\/a><\/h3><\/header>
<\/div><\/div>