Campus

Pictured from the south east in 1876, and again from the south in 1906.

In the 1876 photo, from left to right, old Music Hall, a workshop, the Chemical and Physical Laboratory, South Hall, the Old Main and the president’s barn can be seen. None of these buildings are around today.

Old Music Hall was built from 1863-1870. It has gone by multiple names including the Maples and the Stanton House. Edgar W. Stanton lived with the original residents, the math professor George W. Jones and his family. Mrs. Julia Stanton lived in the house for four years after her husband’s death in 1920. There was a tearoom that was created by Julia, which continued operation until the opening of the Memorial Union in 1928. The Music Department moved in in 1929, and used the building until its demolition in 1978. The current Music Hall stands on the same site.

The Chemical and Physical Laboratory was located near the Laboratory of Mechanics. According to the Library’s Special Archives, they were built in 1870 and 1875, and burned down in 1913.

South Hall was built in 1868. It was the home to Iowa State’s first president, Adonijah Welch. According to the Library’s Special Archives, in 1879 the Welches relocated to the Gables and the Veterinary Medicine and Botany Departments moved in. Domestic Economics replaced the building in 1880. There was slight damage caused by a tornado in 1882, which also caused damage to Old Main. It then served as Music Hall from 1896 until its fiery demise in 1912.

The Old Main acted as the main building for Iowa State from its construction in 1868 until it burned down in 1902. It held various classrooms, libraries, dining halls and residence halls for both faculty and students.

There are many new buildings in their places today.

In the photo from 1906, the Chemical and Physical Laboratory can be seen again. The East Boarding Cottage, Alumni Hall (now Enrollment Services) and the Central Building (now Beardshear Hall) can be seen as well. Only Enrollment Services and Beardshear Hall remain to this day.

According to the Library’s Special Archives, the East Boarding Cottage was built in 1882. It housed students, and was later a place for athletes to train. It was demolished in 1907.