Columbian University, 1873-1904
From GWUEncyc
Article
Columbian University, 1873-1904
Columbian College changed its name to Columbian University on March 3, 1873, and moved its campus, for mainly financial reasons, from "College Hill" (present day Florida Avenue between 14th and 15th streets) to the downtown area, specifically 15th and L Streets, N.W. As early as 1855, a committee of the Board had been appointed to consider the expediency of subdividing and selling a portion of the college grounds. The Civil War had given the college a measure of financial security, as the Federal Government rented the grounds for two hospitals and a soldiers' barracks. At the war's conclusion deficits began to pile up again as the college resumed full activities. When James Welling succeeded George Samson as President in 1871, he believed that Washington demanded a great university, and to that end suggested selling the property on College Hill. Dwindling enrollment due to deteriorating buildings and equipment that were behind the times and "well adapted to disgust students and parents" forced the hand of the administration. Buildings and property on College Hill were sold and a site was chosen downtown for the construction of a new University Building. It was occupied in the 1884-85 academic year, and here the College and Law School remained until 1910, when the transition to Foggy Bottom began.
The following was written in 1890:
The exercises of the College, of the Law School, and of the Scientific School are held in the new University building, situated on the southeast corner of H and Fifteenth streets. This building is four stories high and has a frontage of 121 feet on Fifteenth street and 64 ½ on H Street, with an annex extending back on the south line 156 feet. The façades are built of pressed and moulded bricks which later were especially shaped and modeled for the building, with its terra-cotta ornamentations and artistically designed to give architectural expression to the educational purposes of the edifice. The ascent to the main floor is by iron stairs 12 feet wide, and to the floor above by a massive ornate staircase 7 feet wide.
In the main story are contained the Law Lecture Hall, 45 feet by 60 feet (capable of seating five hundred persons), the Museum, the University Library, the President’s Office, the Reception Room, and one Lecture Room. The upper stories contain Lecture Rooms, Professors’ studies, the Chemical Lecture Hall, the Enosinian Society Hall &c., &c., while the pavilion which surmounts the building is designed for use by the teacher of Astronomy. The basement story, which is at an average depth of only 12 inches below the pavement, contains several Lecture rooms, the Assay Department, steam-heating rooms, fuel rooms, store rooms, &c. The Chemical Laboratories are relegated to the lateral annex on the south line of the lot, and are separated from the main building by a heavy brick wall. Access to the laboratories is obtained by a spacious stone staircase, built around the main ventilating shaft, and encased by brick walls to make it proof against fire. Heavy brick partitions and iron beams running through the whole building render each tier of rooms secure from communication in case fire should occur in any part of the structure. The building is heated throughout by steam and by a combination of both direct and indirect radiation. The ventilation is effected by a general system dependent on two large shafts and by a special system of flues connecting with these shafts, or with chimneys, and reaching to every room occupied for purposes of instruction.
The following was written in 1888:
Columbian University – This Institutin [sic], formerly situated on Columbian Heights, 5 minute’s walk from the N. terminus of 14t St., W. now occupies a fine site on the s.e. cor. of 15th and H Sts., n.w., one of the most central locations in the City. The Janitor will show visitors through the building. Entrance on 15th St.
BUILDING. – The Building represents, in construction and arrangement, the best experience in college architecture. It is of classic style, entirely constructed of brick and richly ornamented with terra cotta, is 121’ on 15th St., 64’ on H St, with a wing 40’ wide, extending E. 154’, the whole 4 stories high and ornamented by a tower 25’ × 30’. The two fronts are broken by graceful window arches. At the main entrance, on 15th St., are two terra cotta panels; one representing Literature and Law, and the other Natural Sciences. The building was erected 1883-’4, Wm. Poindexter, Architect, and cost $75,000; Ground, $75,000. The University and Law Departments occupy the main building.
THE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT is situated on H St. bet. 13th and 14th Sts., n. w. It is a fine brick building, 50’ × 50’, basement and 3 stories, with stone sills and lintels, and a high-pitched roof; Wm. M. Poindexter, Architect; cost of building, $18,000; ground, $7,000. It has accommodations for 100 pupils. It has all the modern conveniences and appliances of a school building.
Document Information
Images: 2
Photographic Credit: GW University Historical Photographs Collection; yearbook
Author or Source: Brick s Without Straw, University Bulletin, 1890/91; Keim’s Illustrated Handbook of Washington, 1888
Document Location: University Archives
Date Added to Encyclopedia: December 21, 2006
Prepared by: Lyle Slovick, Assistant University Archivist
For more information about GW history
Contact:
Special Collections Research Center [1]
The Melvin Gelman Library [2]
The George Washington University [3]
2130 H Street, NW Suite 704
Washington, DC 20052
202-994-7549
mailto:archives@gwu.edu
Please send us your questions and comments about the encyclopedia.
This site is maintained by the Special Collections Research Center and the Web Development Group.
