Roll Toomers Corner®

At the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and College Street in the city of Auburn, AL is where downtown Auburn transitions to the university. This is known as Toomers Corner™. It is named after Sheldon Toomer who founded the Bank of Auburn on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and College Street in 1907.
Hanging over the corner are two 130 year old live oak trees, and whenever there is cause for celebration in the community, the trees are festooned with toilet paper. The tradition is said to have begun when local drug store across the street had the only telegraph in the city. During away football games, when employees of the local store received news of a win, they would throw the ticker tape from the telegraph on to the power lines. The rolling of oak trees started in 1989 after the power lines were moved under ground. Previously, starting as early as 1940’s according to some, the intersection’s power and telephone lines were rolled. Traditionally only used as a way to celebrate football victories, in recent years it has become a way to celebrate anything good that happens concerning the school or the city.
Recently, the oak trees have been poisoned by a commercial herbicide and it is expected that the trees will most likely not survive. As university and city officials decide on the fate and future of the trees, we can celebrate victories or any occasion by Rolling Toomer’s Corner™ with your mobile phone.