Dart-Myths

Hall-Truths, Bold Lies, and Amazing Tales

1772

A great deal of Dartmouth mythology stems from the saga of John Ledyard 1776 leaving campus in a dugout canoe he hews himself. Nothing is made of the fact that he arrived on campus in a sulky weighted down with theatrical props.

1881

Richard Hovey 1885, lyricist of "Hanover Winter Song," doesn't care for the season. He expends much thought during his freshman fall making a plan to "avoid the coldest part of the winter here."

1886

Thirty-four years after the death of Daniel Webster 1801 and 65 years after he was believed to have uttered his memorable phrase, "It is, Sir, as I have said, a small college," the line appears in print for the first time, raising doubts among scholars about its authenticity.

1917

The Dartmouth stakes its claim as the oldest college paper in the country. It bases this assertion on a defunct paper called The Dartmouth Gazette. The Gazette was published from 1799 to 1820 by a local printer named Moses Davis and was not connected with the College.

1926

The tale of brilliant Doctor Benton, driven insane by his search for the Elixir of Eternal Life (but surviving on the flanks of Moosilauke), is told in front of the fire of the Summit House.

1960

President Dickey investigates a Bennett Cerf column reporting that Dartmouth students once packed town meeting and voted to build a town hall two feet square and 75 feet tall. Town officials cannot locate any record of such a vote.

1975

An honorary degree is presented to Robert James Keeshan. To this day students and alumni insist Captain Kangaroo attended classes in Hanover.

1989

Myth debunked: Sphinx's water bill, $24.80, isn't higher than the $557.88 billed to Alumni Gym.

1997

The Fiske Guide to Colleges reports that a 24-hour bowling alley has gained favor by offering cheap rates to insomniacs. Students insist there is no such place.

The Doc Benton story is a freshman trip standard. This pup mythed the point.