University Hall

University Hall is a three-story brick building with tall windows and ornamental brackets that shows Italianate style on the University of Oregon campus. The structure combines classical Italian design features with subtle Second Empire elements visible in its roofline and detailing.

This building was constructed in 1876 as the first structure on the University of Oregon campus and stood alone for nearly a decade. It marks the symbolic beginning of the institution and its growth from a solitary building into a developed campus.

The building carries meaning as the symbolic heart of the campus, and its name change in 2020 reflects how institutions reckon with historical legacies.

The building sits in the historic core of the campus and is easy to reach on foot when exploring the central area. You can photograph the exterior any time, but remember it is an active administrative and teaching building, so interior access is limited.

The building stood alone as the sole structure on the entire campus for nearly a decade before other buildings appeared. This fact makes it a valuable window into the early years of the university and how the institution started from very modest beginnings.

Location: Eugene

Inception: 1876

Architectural style: Italianate architecture

Floors above the ground: 3

Part of: University of Oregon

GPS coordinates: 44.04670,-123.07600

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:48