Augusta College Three Original

<i> East face</i><br> In 1973, Augusta College named three of the original arsenal buildings in honor of commandants of the arsenal. Payne Hall, storehouse and later headquarters for the arsenal and administrative building for the university, was named for Matthew Payne, first commandant of the arsenal from 1819 to 1827. He oversaw the purchase of the Walker family land and plans for the relocation of the arsenal from the Savannah River. <br><br> <i>North face </i><br> The Benet House, the arsenal commandant's home, the college president's home from 1960 to 1987, and administrative offices, became a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Arsenal Commandant J. Walker Benet served here from 1911 to 1919. His son Stephen Vincent Benet wrote poetry here while attending Summerville Academy. Stephen won two Pulitzer Prizes, and his brother William Rose won one. <br><br> <i> West face </i> <br> Rains Hall, once Officers' Quarters, bears the name of George Washington Rains, Confederate Commandant from April 1862 until the arsenal's reoccupation by Union troops in May 1865. Under his supervision, the arsenal manufactured Confederate weapons and other supplies. Rains also choose Augusta for the Confederate Powder Works. Rains Hall has served the university mainly as administrative offices. <br><br>