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Historical marker for FSU's West Campus at the corner of Eisenhower and Van Fleet streets in Tallahassee, Florida.
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Universities and colleges--Florida--Leon County--Tallahassee--History
College campuses--Florida--Leon County--Tallahassee--History
Historic sites--Florida--Leon County--Tallahassee
Signs and signboards--Florida--Leon County--Tallahassee
Historical markers--Florida--Leon County--Tallahassee
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Note marker reads, "WEST CAMPUS OF THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY - TALLAHASSEE BRANCH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA After World War II, many veterans returning to Florida sought a college education through the GI Bill. The all-male University of Florida (UF) experienced record enrollment as thousands of veterans applied to the university. Unable to accommodate all of the students, UF asked veterans if some would be willing to attend the Florida State College for Women (FSCW) in Tallahassee. In September 1946, the Florida Legislature authorized the opening of the Tallahassee Branch of the University of Florida (TBUF). This was the first time male students attended FSCW since the school became a woman's institution in 1905. To house the more than 500 male students, FSCW purchased land and buildings west of the main campus. This area had been the location of Dale Mabry Field, the city's first airport and a World War II Army Air Corp training field. Former barracks and officers' headquarters were converted into student housing, classrooms and other administrative buildings for the expanded campus. One year later, FSCW became the coeducational Florida State University (FSU), which continued to use the 'West Campus' to accommodate the university's students."
Accompanying note: "On Oct. 30, 2012, the Florida State University Emeritus Society and Tallahassee Mayor John Marks unveiled a Florida historical marker commemorating FSU's 'West Campus.' From 1946 to 1956, FSU used the former World War II Army Air Corps military base, Dale Mabry Field to house its first male students, calling the facilities West Campus. The university had been known as Florida State College for Women from 1905 to 1947. In fall 1946, because the all-male University of Florida could not accommodate the burgeoning numbers of men returning from World War II, the first men were admitted to FSCW. In May 1947, the Florida Legislature passed a bill making FSCW and UF co-ed. West Campus was home to FSU's first men's football team, first basketball team and the beginning of FSU's Flying High Circus."
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Chicago Manual of Style
Ensley, Gerald. Historical marker for FSU's West Campus at the corner of Eisenhower and Van Fleet streets in Tallahassee, Florida. 2012. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/256026>, accessed 12 June 2026.
MLA
Ensley, Gerald. Historical marker for FSU's West Campus at the corner of Eisenhower and Van Fleet streets in Tallahassee, Florida. 2012. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/256026>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Ensley)
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