Rebels Rest, on the campus of University of the South, following a fire on July 23. Photo courtesy of Sewanee Today
Fire caused heavy damage to historic Rebel’s Rest on the campus of the University of the South last Wednesday night. The blaze was reported at approximately 11:30 p.m. and the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene at 11:35. There were no injuries or damage to adjacent buildings. The cause of the fire is not yet known; but the state arson investigator is investigating the fire. Rebel’s Rest has served as a university guest house for many years, but has been closed this summer for renovations. Originally built as the family home of Major George Fairbanks in 1866, the building is the only remaining campus structure from the re-founding of the university following the Civil War. The first post-Civil War meeting of the Board of Trustees was held there in October 1866.
