Spring Break
Architectural surprises found at OSU, around the world
Scott Dennis
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Forum
Of all the peculiar inexplicable things I've witnessed at this school, perhaps none is more perplexing than the drain the middle of a major Sackett hallway. What reason could it possibly have served? Did they use to perform ancient blood rituals in that hallway? Do the walls bleed salsa when no one's looking?
Nonetheless, every building, room and brick has a storied past. This mysterious drain is just one of the many defunct historical relics that go unnoticed on campus.
The main entrance to Benton Hall, for instance, has changed since its opening in 1887. If you look at Benton from the east, you can still see where the old second-floor doorway used to be. The doorway has been converted into a window, but its large door-ish proportions give it away.
Some of the more obvious remnants of the past can be seen in the engraved stone signs above many of Oregon State's older buildings. Strand Hall, despite playing headquarters to a number of student services, still declares itself as the agriculture building. Langton Hall's fancy sign still refers to the classic building as the gymnasium despite being replaced in those duties by Dixon Recreation Center. Moreland Hall used to have an engraved stone sign of its own that announced itself as the Forestry building, though that has since been covered up by the current display.
These sorts of historical relics add character to the campus. Even individual classrooms have fascinating histories. Maybe the room where you fall asleep listening to biology lecture used to host labs on home- making - Milam - or dairy processes - Gilkey. There even used to be a pool in the basement of Shepard Hall that has since been covered up and made into boring old office space.
Unfortunately, a lot of the really interesting features of the campus have disappeared completely. The bandstand between Valley Library and Kidder, the cupola atop Fairbanks and the cozy lobby in Shepard Hall have all been lost. Preserving our historical structures is a concept we've had problems with apparently. It's not just here, of course; preserving historically significant or architecturally astounding buildings is a big issue around the globe.
Nonetheless, every building, room and brick has a storied past. This mysterious drain is just one of the many defunct historical relics that go unnoticed on campus.
The main entrance to Benton Hall, for instance, has changed since its opening in 1887. If you look at Benton from the east, you can still see where the old second-floor doorway used to be. The doorway has been converted into a window, but its large door-ish proportions give it away.
Some of the more obvious remnants of the past can be seen in the engraved stone signs above many of Oregon State's older buildings. Strand Hall, despite playing headquarters to a number of student services, still declares itself as the agriculture building. Langton Hall's fancy sign still refers to the classic building as the gymnasium despite being replaced in those duties by Dixon Recreation Center. Moreland Hall used to have an engraved stone sign of its own that announced itself as the Forestry building, though that has since been covered up by the current display.
These sorts of historical relics add character to the campus. Even individual classrooms have fascinating histories. Maybe the room where you fall asleep listening to biology lecture used to host labs on home- making - Milam - or dairy processes - Gilkey. There even used to be a pool in the basement of Shepard Hall that has since been covered up and made into boring old office space.
Unfortunately, a lot of the really interesting features of the campus have disappeared completely. The bandstand between Valley Library and Kidder, the cupola atop Fairbanks and the cozy lobby in Shepard Hall have all been lost. Preserving our historical structures is a concept we've had problems with apparently. It's not just here, of course; preserving historically significant or architecturally astounding buildings is a big issue around the globe.
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