back in the day - OSU Alumni Association

This painting of the OSU (then OAC) campus was made by college illustrator Allan J. Stover in 1924 and updated by Stover in 1932. It depictsthe core of the area recently designated by federal officials as the Oregon State University Historic District. A more whimsical, student-drawnmap based on this image appears inside the back cover. Image courtesy OSU Archives: HC0040construction from 1900 forward, thecreation of quadrangles, and the generalgrouping of primary-use buildings in ornear the center of campus.A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Taylorhelped create the landscape architectureprogram at Ohio State University. Healso served as president of the AmericanSociety of Landscape Architects for threeconsecutive terms. Noting in one of hisreports to President Kerr in 1925 that “Ihave come in contact with no collegecampus where the buildings over a considerablearea have been designed andlocated with so much uniformity,” Taylorrecommended future developmentcontinue in accordance with the Olmstedplan and he also helped pave the way forthe future construction of such landmarkbuildings as the Memorial Union andWeatherford Hall. He also felt that roadsand parking on campus should be limitedand that the use of automobiles bekept to a minimum.Bennes was the architect Kerrturned to again and again, the two joiningforces with faculty member ArthurL. Peck, himself a noted landscape architect,to construct more than 38 buildings,barns, dorms, labs and clinics betweenthe years 1907-1942.Most of them are still in serviceand comprise the bulk of the resourcesdescribed within the district. Accordingto the application, “his (Bennes) involvementwith the university is largely thereason the campus achieved the architecturalunity recommended by the Olmstedsand A.D. Taylor.”Throughout the 20th century, OSUhas strayed little from the original examplesof planning, architectural harmonyand unity established by these individuals,a fact that heavily influenced the decisionto add OSU to the NHRP.In addition to the pride the Corvalliscommunity can feel toward this newrecognition of the importance of the historyof OSU’s campus, McIntosh said thedistinction now puts Oregon State at ahigher level of consideration for grantstypically offered by state, federal andprivate agencies to stimulate the planningof future properties and the renovationof existing ones.“At the same time, it holds us accountablelike never before for protectingand preserving our historical resources,”McIntosh said. “The next step is the creationof a preservation plan to include aland development code and standardsfor restoration and preservation.“Now our work really begins.” qGeorge P. Edmonston Jr. is history andtraditions editor of the Oregon Stater, and ispast editor of the magazine.OSU’s applications to have the campus andthe print shop considered for the NationalRegister of Historic Places can be found atwww.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/nrhp_recent_nominations.shtml.43Fall 2008