University Hall, building at Lincoln College, Lincoln, Illinois, USA
University Hall was a Renaissance Revival building on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, constructed between 1869 and 1870 as the institution's first major structure. The three-story edifice featured a tower, chapel, and bell, built from local limestone and brick to make a strong architectural statement.
The cornerstone was laid in 1869, shortly after Nebraska achieved statehood, marking the university's founding in an undeveloped settlement. Construction was plagued by serious problems, including a fatal scaffolding collapse in 1870, weak foundations, and poor materials that necessitated repairs throughout the building's existence.
The name reflects its role as the central gathering place for the early university community. The distinctive tower and mansard roof made it a landmark that students and faculty passed daily, embodying the aspirations of Nebraska's new educational institution.
The original building's location on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus can be visited today, and the bell from the tower is displayed in a garden at the Wick Alumni Center. Visitors can view historical photographs and a scale model created by the class of 1897 to understand its architecture and place in the university's story.
A tragic scaffolding collapse in August 1870 killed three workers and delayed completion, yet the contractor responsible later became mayor of Lincoln. This contradiction reveals the challenges and dangers of early construction efforts in the fledgling frontier town.
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