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The Old Main Tour!
In response to questions about @UTAustin’s Old Main, here’s brief Twitter Tour of the first building on the campus, made from Austin-pressed yellow brick, limestone trim, and a gray slate roof.
Follow the thread! (1/10) ->
In response to questions about @UTAustin’s Old Main, here’s brief Twitter Tour of the first building on the campus, made from Austin-pressed yellow brick, limestone trim, and a gray slate roof.
Follow the thread! (1/10) ->
(2/10)
Old Main was constructed in three parts. The west wing opened first in 1884, the central section and north wing in 1889, and the east wing completed the building in 1899. This 1890 image was taken from 21st and Guadalupe Streets. ->
Old Main was constructed in three parts. The west wing opened first in 1884, the central section and north wing in 1889, and the east wing completed the building in 1899. This 1890 image was taken from 21st and Guadalupe Streets. ->
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Old Main was “Collegiate Gothic” in style. For the University of Texas, an icy-clad Gothic Main Building provided a tangible connection to its medieval predecessors in Paris, Oxford, and Cambridge, and so was a visual statement of its high aspirations of the future. ->
Old Main was “Collegiate Gothic” in style. For the University of Texas, an icy-clad Gothic Main Building provided a tangible connection to its medieval predecessors in Paris, Oxford, and Cambridge, and so was a visual statement of its high aspirations of the future. ->
(4/10)
Once inside the south entrance, a visitor encountered a four-story rotunda with a skylight and a pair of oak staircases. For some reason, it became the custom (not a UT rule) for women to take the left stairs and men to use the right. ->
Once inside the south entrance, a visitor encountered a four-story rotunda with a skylight and a pair of oak staircases. For some reason, it became the custom (not a UT rule) for women to take the left stairs and men to use the right. ->
(5/10)
Before the days of a Daily Texan or Texas Union, the rotunda was the place to loaf between classes. Flyers, called “dodgers,” were sometimes tossed to the students from the top floor with announcements of concerts, lectures, plays, and athletic events. ->
Before the days of a Daily Texan or Texas Union, the rotunda was the place to loaf between classes. Flyers, called “dodgers,” were sometimes tossed to the students from the top floor with announcements of concerts, lectures, plays, and athletic events. ->
(6/10)
Directly through the rotunda was the University Library. Cramped in Old Main, it moved in 1911 to Battle Hall. The space was remodeled for the English Department with a new hallway and classrooms and faculty offices on each side. The hall was dubbed the “English Channel.”
Directly through the rotunda was the University Library. Cramped in Old Main, it moved in 1911 to Battle Hall. The space was remodeled for the English Department with a new hallway and classrooms and faculty offices on each side. The hall was dubbed the “English Channel.”
(7/10)
Directly above the library was the University auditorium. The main floor seated 1000, with room for an additional 700 in the balcony. During football rallies, it was considered “unladylike” for women students to yell, and they usually watched from the balcony seating. ->
Directly above the library was the University auditorium. The main floor seated 1000, with room for an additional 700 in the balcony. During football rallies, it was considered “unladylike” for women students to yell, and they usually watched from the balcony seating. ->
(8/10)
Looking down the first floor east-west hallway, Old Main had high ceilings and transoms to promote air circulation, as the was no air conditioning yet. Before water fountains, wooden barrels filled with water, ice, and community dippers were placed in the hallways. ->
Looking down the first floor east-west hallway, Old Main had high ceilings and transoms to promote air circulation, as the was no air conditioning yet. Before water fountains, wooden barrels filled with water, ice, and community dippers were placed in the hallways. ->
(9/10)
Top: A physics lecture. It was custom for women students to sit in front in all classes.
Bottom: The “Greek Room” – Classics Professor William Battle’s fourth floor classroom. The plaster casts of Greek and Roman statues have survived and are now considered priceless. ->
Top: A physics lecture. It was custom for women students to sit in front in all classes.
Bottom: The “Greek Room” – Classics Professor William Battle’s fourth floor classroom. The plaster casts of Greek and Roman statues have survived and are now considered priceless. ->
(10/10)
When Old Main was razed in the 1930s to build the Tower, some bricks were used for other Austin buildings. At the Hancock Center golf course, Old Main bricks outline the windows and doors.
In 1980, the bells of Old Main were placed in front of today’s Bass Concert Hall.
When Old Main was razed in the 1930s to build the Tower, some bricks were used for other Austin buildings. At the Hancock Center golf course, Old Main bricks outline the windows and doors.
In 1980, the bells of Old Main were placed in front of today’s Bass Concert Hall.
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