Antique (Pre-1900)

Old Main, is the oldest building on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of the University (especially to alumni and residents of the state of Arkansas), and of higher education in general in Arkansas. more...

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History

Old Main was constructed between 1873 and 1875 as part of a land grant for the state of Arkansas. At this time it was known as University Hall. It was designed by Chicago architect John Mills Van Osdel, and construction was carried out by William Mayes of the firm of Mayes and Oliver. The contract to construct the Hall was signed by the superintendent of public instruction, Joseph Carter Corbin, who was the highest elected African American official in Arkansas during Reconstruction.

Most of the building materials used in Old Main came from local areas, because the nearest river port was 60 miles away and the nearest railroad was 150 miles away. 136 miles of lumber came by oxen-drawn wagons from the Peter Van Winkle Sawmill near historic War Eagle Mill in Benton County. The red exterior bricks were made from clay dug on campus and fired in kilns built west of Old Main. The brown sandstone used for the foundation and basement was also quarried from near the building site. The five-story building contained 2,600,000 bricks when originally constructed.

After nearly a hundred years of use, Old Main had really begun to show its age. So in 1981 the building was closed for reasons of safety. After a considerable period of debate over whether to restore the old building or tear it down, restoration work began in the summer of 1989 and Old Main was renovated extensively. At this same time, Ellis Island was under renovation as well. Coincidently, the carpet used in the hallway of Old Main is the same carpet that was used in the Ellis Island renovation. The renovation of Giffels auditorium included acquiring every light bulb known to exist in the world that could fit its antique fixtures. The renovation proceeded ahead of schedule, and it was finished during the spring semester of 1991 at a cost of $10 million. It was rededicated during the Fall of 1991.

In 2005 the building underwent another round of renovations although not as severe. It received a new roof, replacement of aging mortar, and a clock face was finally installed in the south tower.

During its history, Old Main has housed many different departments and served many different administrative functions. It currently houses the offices of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, its honors program and five academic departments, as well as classrooms and meeting spaces.

Aspects of Old Main

Senior Walk

Senior Walk is a tradition unique to the University of Arkansas. Each year, all graduates have their name carved into the sidewalk that circles, and cuts through campus. The walk begins directly in front of Old Main with the first graduating class, of 1871.

Read more at Wikipedia.org