Page 31 - Corvallis, OR Historic Preservation Plan

Historic Preservation Plan

Oregon State University

In 1868, Corvallis College, a school administered by the Methodist I
Episcopal Church, was designated as the state’s land grant Agricultural l- ■
College. Over the years, the College would go through several name !*! ; !5
changes including the Corvallis State Agricultural College, Oregon «* .iiuti Hill £51 SI
Agricultural College (OAC), and, finally, Oregon State University. , 5 111 1
The original Corvallis College building was located near 5th Street
and Madison Avenue, but the campus was moved west to the 1
college’s farm land in what is the current campus beginning with the 4W%
construction of the Administration Building (now known as Benton ■V-
Hall) in 1888. In 1907, William Kerr became president of the college
and hired Portland architect John Bennes to design the new Industrial Weatherford Hall
Arts Complex. This began a long association between the college
and Bennes, who went on to design more than 30 buildings on the
campus. The Kerr administration also oversaw the campus planning
efforts of the Olmsted Brothers, sons of renowned landscape architect ii
Frederick Law Olmsted. The Olmsted Brothers’ work is largely credited E
with some of the most notable features, including the organization , la I
of buildings around quadrangles, architectural harmony, and the use
of red brick. The significant work done by Bennes and the Olmsteds
is recognized through its designation as the Oregon State University
National Historic District, and continues to influence campus projects Furman Hall

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Memorial Union

Final: November 15, 2017 25