1890-92 - University Archives and Records Center - University of ...

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of artificial light was the expensive and unsatisfactory city gas.
After a careful study of the subject, it was seen that the truest
economy, as well as great improvements in the sanitary condition
of thé buildings, would be secured by the erection of a Central
Station wisely planned and to be efficiently engineered, from
which ample steam supply, forced ventilation, and electric
lighting could be supplied to all the departments. It was
recognized that the first cost would be very great, not only in
the construction of the buildings and plant, but in the adaptation
of the old buildings to receive the new system. But it was also
seen that an equitable charge, based upon carefully measured,
actual consumption by each department, would within reasonable
time not only pay current expenses and interest, but gradually
refund the principal, and that this charge ought not to exceed
that now paid for a far inferior service. The work was committed
to Messrs. Wilson Brothers, Architects, associated with Professor
Spangler, as the University's expert, and proved to be even more
difficult than was at first expected. Coincident with this important
improvement came the urgent demand of the Mechanical
and Engineering Department for accommodations and facilities
to correspond with its phenomenal development, and it was at
once apparent that an enlargement of the proposed building,
sufficient to adapt it to this incidental demand, would be the wisest
course, saving expense, and making the actual working plant a
practical laboratory as well. The equipment, as a Heat and
Light Station, consists of a boiler house, 100 by 50 feet, equipped
with examples of the best modern types of steam boilers. The
plant will contain externally and internally fired shell boilers and
several water-tube and other boilers of sectional type.
Adjoining this building is the new Engineering Laboratory.
This building is 100 by 45 feet and three and one-half stories
higTi. On the first floor are the engines and dynamos used for'
lighting all the University buildings.
The dynamos to be used for lighting purposes include
examples of the best modern types of both direct and alternating
current machines. There are several plain slide valve engines of
15 horse-power each, used for running blast and ventilating fans,