Journal of History and Culture Journal of History and Culture

j o u r n a l o f h i s t o r y a n d c u l t u r e
On moving past the Spirit Wall, one encounters the Last Corps Trip Wall, which is engraved with a poem
that was traditionally read prior to the lighting of the Bonfire each year. These features collectively make up the
Tradition Plaza space. Toward the end of Tradition Plaza begins History Walk.
History Walk accounts for/is the culmination of the 90 years of Bonfire ceremony, preceding the 1999
tragedy. It serves as a connection between Tradition Plaza and Spirit Ring, i.e., the location where the 1999 tragedy
occurred. A time line composed of 89 granite stones, extends due north. The time line begins with the year 1909,
i.e., the first year that the Bonfire was built on campus. History Walk is flanked with a grassy mount on the west.
Towards the end of History Walk is Spirit Ring.
Three previous Bonfire-related deaths are remembered on the time line, in the years that they occurred.
These three incidents are expressed in the form of a slit in the granite stones. The three slits contain a metal plate
which is engraved with the person’s name. An amber light embedded in the granite stones within each of the slits,
illuminates the walkway at night. A gap in the time line acknowledges the year 1963, i.e., the year that John F. Ken-
nedy was assassinated. It is the only year that the Bonfire ceremony was not celebrated.
Spirit Ring surrounds the site, where the 1999 Bonfire tragedy occurred. The ring’s twelve Gateways face
the hometowns of those who lost their lives in the collapse. Twenty-seven curved granite stones with bronze inlays,
represent the students who were injured in the collapse, but survived. These stones connect the Gateways, forming
a complete circle. The diameter of the Spirit Ring is the same as the 170’ perimeter of the traditional Bonfire. Amber
lights, placed on the underside of the curved granite stones, illuminate the ring at night. Spirit Ring is surrounded
by a circular grassy mount on all sides.
Bronze portals inside each of the Gateways were designed in collaboration with each of the families, to
reflect the events, emotions, life, and spirit of the lost family member. A circular shaped, black granite stone at the
center of the ring, marks the exact location of the 1999 center pole. This marker is inscribed with the date and the
time when the tragedy occurred. The marker also serves as the center point to orient visitors to the twelve home-
towns. Bronze, granite, gravel and sand are used as materials in most areas of the Memorial.
Peoples’ Interactions with Tradition Plaza:
The poem on Last Corps Trip Wall was observed to be the most important feature of Tradition Plaza. The
time spent in Tradition Plaza (mostly reading the poem) averaged about 3 minutes. Observations showed that upon
entering Tradition Plaza, most people stood facing the Last Corp Trip Wall at a distance of 10 feet to 15 feet, while
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