Rugby was founded in 1880 by Thomas Hughes, a noted author, social reformer, and philanthropist. He called Rugby "this lovely corner of God's earth," and urged colonists to "be careful to spoil it as little as possible."
Hughes named his utopian community after the public school he attended in England. Rugby, located in Warwickshire, is one of England's oldest public schools and one of the most prestigious boys' schools in the country. It was the first school to have played the sport of Rugby.
The community of Rugby is both historically and architecturally significant. Hughes planned Rugby as a cooperative for the second sons of England's landed gentry as well as for American settlers. Curious visitors and prospective settlers travelled here from all over Britian and America, creating a fascinating cultural mix with the mountain natives.
Rugby flourished during the 1880's, but fell into decline upon the death of Hughes' mother,
Margaret Hughes, in 1887. Thomas Hughes did not live in the Rugby year round. He spent his
summers in the community where he stayed in his mother's home, Uffington House. His own
house, Kingston Lisle, was rarely used. After his mother's death, Hughes seldom returned to
Rugby. Margaret Hughes was buried in the Laurel Dale Cemetery in Rugby.
Problems with the community arose early, as many of the new settlers from England were not accustomed to working! In fact, the first structure built in the community was a tennis court!
Residents also tried to start a tomato canning factory, but they did not plant enough tomatoes to get it going.
Hughes chose the site in Morgan County to start his colony mainly because the Cincinnati and Southern Railroad, which ran its main line through the nearby community of Elgin (Sedgemoor Station), promised to build a spur to the community.
The railroad failed to deliver on its promise, and the residents grew weary of transporting supplies over eight miles of rough terrain.
At its peak in 1887, Rugby boasted a population of nearly 500. More than fifty residences existed, and the community was the largest in a three county area (Morgan, Scott, and Fentress Counties). The private and public buildings were all built in the Victorian architectural style.
When Madame Hughes died in 1887, the colony fell into decline. By 1892, twelve years after its founding, only memories remained of the carefree days of tennis matches and afternoon tea.
Last Updated May 15 1996