Old College was the first building constructed at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and was completed in 1855. Although intended to be temporary, it served in various capacities including classrooms, a library, and offices until it was razed after being extensively damaged in 1973.
Old College
Old College in 1899, before being moved to make way for Fisk Hall.
The cornerstone of the building was laid on June 15, 1855, at what is now the corner of Hinman and Davis streets in Evanston. The three-story frame building was completed by the start of the University's first classes on November 5 of that year at a total cost of $5,937.[1] From its completion, Old College was home to all activities of the new university and originally housed a chapel, classrooms, and rooms for two literary societies. Attic lofts also served as dorm rooms for several students.[2] In 1856, the Board of Trustees met in Old College and appointed a Committee on Library, officially establishing Northwestern's first library in Old College. This remained the main library on campus until the construction of University Hall.[3]
The building was only meant to be temporary, and the first permanent building on campus, University Hall, that was completed in 1869. University Hall then became the principal building on campus, and the new building overtook many of the functions of Old College. In 1871, Old College was moved to a location near the present-day Fisk Hall, and a new wing was added to the structure. Old College was moved again in 1899 to the present-day location of the McCormick-Tribune Center stands, to allow for the construction of Fisk Hall. Despite originally being built as a temporary structure, Old College continued to serve a variety of purposes throughout its history, including housing Northwestern's prep school (later known as the Evanston Academy), a weather observatory for the Department of War in the 1870s, a naval training program during World War I, and the offices of the College of Liberal Arts. When the School of Education was established in 1925–26, Old College became the Education Building.[1]
RazingEdit
On July 24, 1973, Old College was struck by lightning, triggering the sprinkler system, which flooded the building. The damage was extensive and the building was razed, after its structure was determined to be unsafe and the estimated $500,000 cost to renovate and restore the building was deemed to be too high.[1] The sign reading "Old College" that hung above the building's entrance is now located at the west entrance of University Hall.[4]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcOld College at Northwestern University Archives
^Northwestern University: A History, 1855–1905 By Arthur Herbert Wilde, p 165(available in full text at Google Book Search )
^About University hall: NU Facilities February 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
External linksEdit
September 5, 1973 Press release announcing razing of Old College
September 01, 2023
college, northwestern, university, college, first, building, constructed, northwestern, university, evanston, illinois, completed, 1855, although, intended, temporary, served, various, capacities, including, classrooms, library, offices, until, razed, after, b. Old College was the first building constructed at Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois and was completed in 1855 Although intended to be temporary it served in various capacities including classrooms a library and offices until it was razed after being extensively damaged in 1973 Old CollegeOld College in 1899 before being moved to make way for Fisk Hall General informationTown or cityEvanstonCountryUnited StatesCoordinates42 02 44 5 N 87 40 40 5 W 42 045694 N 87 677917 W 42 045694 87 677917Completed1855Demolished1973OwnerNorthwestern University Contents 1 Construction and history 2 Razing 3 References 4 External linksConstruction and history EditThe cornerstone of the building was laid on June 15 1855 at what is now the corner of Hinman and Davis streets in Evanston The three story frame building was completed by the start of the University s first classes on November 5 of that year at a total cost of 5 937 1 From its completion Old College was home to all activities of the new university and originally housed a chapel classrooms and rooms for two literary societies Attic lofts also served as dorm rooms for several students 2 In 1856 the Board of Trustees met in Old College and appointed a Committee on Library officially establishing Northwestern s first library in Old College This remained the main library on campus until the construction of University Hall 3 The building was only meant to be temporary and the first permanent building on campus University Hall that was completed in 1869 University Hall then became the principal building on campus and the new building overtook many of the functions of Old College In 1871 Old College was moved to a location near the present day Fisk Hall and a new wing was added to the structure Old College was moved again in 1899 to the present day location of the McCormick Tribune Center stands to allow for the construction of Fisk Hall Despite originally being built as a temporary structure Old College continued to serve a variety of purposes throughout its history including housing Northwestern s prep school later known as the Evanston Academy a weather observatory for the Department of War in the 1870s a naval training program during World War I and the offices of the College of Liberal Arts When the School of Education was established in 1925 26 Old College became the Education Building 1 Razing EditOn July 24 1973 Old College was struck by lightning triggering the sprinkler system which flooded the building The damage was extensive and the building was razed after its structure was determined to be unsafe and the estimated 500 000 cost to renovate and restore the building was deemed to be too high 1 The sign reading Old College that hung above the building s entrance is now located at the west entrance of University Hall 4 References Edit a b c Old College at Northwestern University Archives Northwestern University A History 1855 1905 By Arthur Herbert Wilde p 165 available in full text at Google Book Search History of Northwestern s Libraries About University hall NU Facilities Archived February 20 2009 at the Wayback MachineExternal links EditSeptember 5 1973 Press release announcing razing of Old College Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Old College Northwestern University amp oldid 1083107538, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
