Old Main Destroyed by Fire, 120 Years Later

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Old Main. Minneapolis Campus, 1904, University of Minnesota Archives Photograph Collection

In the early morning of September 24, 1904, the University of Minnesota’s Old Main, was engulfed by a fire and within two hours, there was nothing left but walls and embers ⁽¹⁾. It was believed that it began in the basement of the building, but the source of the fire was ultimately unknown. It took the fire department an hour to get to campus and by that point, the building was unsalvageable. Instead, firemen tried to stop the flames from spreading to the library and other buildings sitting directly east of it ⁽¹⁾. With the help of three fire engines, the fire finally dissipated and the only remaining items left were a post-office desk and some personal belongings to the janitor in charge of the University Buildings, Captain A.W. Guild ⁽²⁾.

Old Main. Minneapolis Campus, 1904, University of Minnesota Archives Photograph Collection

“The loss of the historical landmark of territorial days is what will be most keenly felt” ⁽¹⁾

Old Main. Minneapolis Campus, 1904, University of Minnesota Archives Photograph Collection

First known as the Main Building, Old Main was built on the second site of the University of Minnesota campus in 1856 ⁽³⁾. From 1856 to 1867, the Old Main was used as a private school and structured to accommodate students and classroom use. It was not until 1867 when the Board of Regents were elected and the University resumed as an institution, that Old Main was renovated. This included the addition of a large lecture hall, classrooms designated to second and third floors, as well as a space for cooking, an office, and apartments for janitorial staff in the basement ⁽³⁾.

Old Main. Minneapolis Campus, 1869, University of Minnesota Archives Photograph Collection

By 1875, as additional students were beginning to attend the University, more space was needed. An expansion plan was revisited by architects Franklin Long and Robert Alden and within that same year, an addition was added to Old Main. Instead of creating two wings off of the existing building, they decided to build upon what was already standing.

Old Main. Minneapolis Campus, 1902, University of Minnesota Archives Photograph Collection

After the addition was completed, Old Main continued to be used by departmental staff and students regularly. And at the time of the fire, this included the German, English and Mathematics Departments, as well as the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). These groups were significantly affected by the fire in 1904. The German Department lost 1800 volumes of books within their library, which at that time cost nearly $3,000 dollars ⁽¹⁾. The YWCA lost $100 dollars worth in furniture, along with a newly purchased piano, worth $400 dollars ⁽¹⁾.

Old Main. Minneapolis Campus, 1904, University of Minnesota Archives Photograph Collection

Today as you walk through campus and pass by Shevlin Hall, you will find a historical marker made out of stone. This plaque was installed in 1932, on what was the former site of the building ⁽³⁾. To learn more on the history of Old Main, as well as other buildings on campus, check out the University of Minnesota Archives’ Information Files Collection. The collection holds information on the history of campus buildings throughout the University’s history, including that of Old Main.