Old West, Dickinson College, Federal period academic building in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Old West is a Federal period academic building located at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The structure displays a symmetrical limestone facade with large windows spread across three floors and topped by a prominent bell tower at its center.
Renowned architect Benjamin Latrobe designed this building in 1803 following a fire that destroyed the college's original structure, receiving financial backing from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The project marked a turning point in American academic architecture and demonstrated the founding generation's confidence in the institution.
Memorial Hall within Old West functions as a gathering space for academic ceremonies, distinguished speakers, and weekly religious services.
The building is accessible during Dickinson College operating hours and contains administrative offices and multiple classrooms distributed across three levels. Visitors should remember this is an active academic space, so tours should be conducted respectfully.
James Buchanan, who later became US President, studied in Old West during 1809, establishing the building's reputation as a training ground for future American leaders. This connection to a prominent political career demonstrates the structure's lasting impact on the nation's history.
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