Pictorial History
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| When the Nation was on the brink of a civil war, some
enterprising people in the new territory of Washington,
energetically embarked on a mission to build a university. The
cornerstone was laid on May 20, 1861 and six months later classes
began with about 30 students. In 1894 the cornerstone was removed
and transferred to the site for the new University campus.
The Territorial University was described as looking "like a French Chateau" when it was built. Materials used in the building were Enumclaw sandstone and pressed brick with terra cotta details in the design. The four floors contained 35 rooms in its 20,000 square feet of space. (Dorpat, 36) |
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In 1881, the Legislature failed to allocate any funds for the 1882-84 biennium, so the railroad magnate Henry Villard, who built the Northern Pacific, donated $1,000 and then $4,000 to make up for this lack. The University was decorated as seen in this picture to welcome Villard and show the community's appreciation for his generosity. |
| The columns are all that remain of the Territorial University. This picture was probably taken shortly after the columns were moved in 1921 to their present location, which is south of the Electrical Engineering Building. The large tree-enclosed area where they stand is called the Sylvan Theater. |  |