Old Main Collection

Collection

Identifier: UOMC

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Old Main Collection consists of documents dated 1878 and 1970. The collection contains the items removed from the Old Main time capsule, ashes and bricks from the building, newspapers regarding the fire, a souvenir plate, and a few slides of the building after the fire.

Dates

1878, 1970

Creator

Colorado State University. Libraries (Organization)

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.

History

Old Main was the first classroom building constructed on the Colorado Agricultural College Campus. Originally known as the Main Building, it was constructed in 1878. The contract for the building was awarded to Henry C. Baker of Boulder, Colorado and the building was to be constructed for $7,000. The cornerstone was laid on July 27, 1878, and construction commenced even though the Board of Agriculture did not have the funds. After the building was complete, cost overruns placed a number of liens against the building that were not released until the Board went through a lengthy legal battle. Issues with the new building surfaced almost immediately; the lightning rod actually conducted electrical charges to the building, cracks appeared in the west wall, and the gutters were funneling water into the foundation. Additional work and repairs were necessary before the first students arrived in 1879.

The building was originally used for all campus courses, and also included staff offices, the library, and a chapel, as well as housing the university president and his family. An 1889 addition to Old Main included a gymnasium to be used for both athletic pursuits and military drills. A second addition in 1903 expanded the auditorium and added a second gymnasium. For many years Old Main was home to the English and math departments.

On May 8, 1970, a fire broke out in the basement of Old Main. Attributed to arson, the structure was gutted by the fire and was torn down.

Extent

7.75 linear feet (2 oversize record cartons, 1 record carton, 1 flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Old Main Collection contains items removed from the Old Main time capsule as well as photographs and information on the fire that destroyed the building in 1970.

Arrangement

The collection consists of 1 series in 2 oversize record cartons, 1 record carton, and 1 flat box:

Series 1: Old Main ephemera, 1878, 1970 and undated

Acquisition

The Old Main time capsule was transferred to University Archives from the Administration Building in 1976. The ashes of Old Main were transferred in 2015.

Related Collections

The University Historic Photograph Collection (UHPC) has many images of Old Main. Some of the images have been digitized and are available at http://lib.colostate.edu/archives/uhpc/.