These pillars were created in 1891, and were once part of the original entrance to Purdue, located on the southeast side of Memorial Mall. During their twenty-fifth reunion in 1923, members of the Class of 1897 carved their graduating year into the pillars. In the mid-1950s, the gateway and pilllars were removed to widen the drive for automobiles. In 1991, with money raised by the Class of 1936 and children and grandchildren of the Class of 1897, the pillars were refurbished and relocated across from Stewart Center on the east side of Memorial Mall.
