Stevens Institute of Technology - Link Yearbook (Hoboken, NJ)

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si , ,. - - I p IN 1920 present Stevens Institute of Teclmology. In his will of 1867, he bequeathed a plot of land, 5141501100 for a building, and 8500.000 as an endowment fund, in order that an institution of learning might be established. Soon after his death the executors of the will decided that the new institution should be a school of mechan- ical engineering and receive the name Stevens, in honor of its founder. The plans, drawn up by a prominent New York architect, called for a more imposing building than the one which was finally erected. The spires, one above the present blunted tower, and one on each end of the building, were eliminated, as was the east wing. It was found necessary. however, to construct this wing a year later in order that a high school might be established. The original Faculty was comprised of eight members with l'rofessor Henry Morton as president. Professor Charles I . Kroeh, who is still actively with us. was a member of this first faculty as Professor of Languages, having resigned his professorship at Lehigh Ilniversity. The formal opening took place in September of 1871 with two Juniors, three Sophomores, and sixteen Freshmen. The college as originally planned was to be one where graduates of other colleges could continue their studies. The .Institute soon became the greatest college of its kind. and in- spired the creation of many rivals, but to this day it has retained the foremost position in mechanical engineering. It was here that the early development and practice of electrical engineering took place, and that the theory of lubrication was investigated. In those days. it was customary to have public lectures in the college given by the most prominent men of the time. Due to the small number of students, special students were admitted for a time and the degree of l'h.li., or B.S., was given. In order that research work might. be pursued, it was necessary that the equip- ment be unusually complete. The Physical Laboratory was, at that time, the best of its kind. and the Chemical Laboratory began with large and complete col- lections of ores. specimens, and chemicals. The Drawing Department had many and expensive models of problems. This original apparatus has, in the course of time, become obsolete, but it has been replaced and added to by many gifts of alumni. engineering firms, and the govermnent, as well as by extensive purchase. Martha IS. Stevens, the widow of Edwin A. Stevens, presented to the Institute, in 1897, a plot of land and a house. This house. on the corner of Sixth and River Streets. was occupied by President Morton up to the time of his-death. Tzlicnfy-111'11c

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,, l V' Vi i , - A IN 1870 between the conflicting railroad and canal interests, assisted in the successive extensions or t'0llS0llfl2ll.l0llS, and was quick to beg.:in again new railroad workin New Jersey when released from earlier l'0SlJ0llSllHlltICS... Robert L. Stevens died in 1856, having just completed the erection of the present Castle after his own plans. Edwin A. Stevens then fell heir to the estate which at this time extended west as far as Washington Street. Col. John Stevens had developed the island so that Mntlie visitor, on arriving by the ferry, would be landed at the foot. of a little hill, on which stood the U76 Housef a little to the south of what is now Newark Street. between Hudson and lVashington Streets. North of the ' '76 'House' was the beautiful lawn known as 'The Greenf which sloped down l'rom Washington Street to the river and was bounded on the north by First Street. Here the visitor might spend his hours enjoying the pleasant scene or indulging in some of the many anmsements which were all around for his entertainment. but if he desired to find a quieter spot or to explore the natural beauties of the place. there was a path, lined with fine old elms. which led up toward Castle Point and then turned off to the river, where it ran between the cliffs and the river's edge and was known as the River Walk, until, north of the Point. it led into the Elysian Fields, where tall trees stood in a fine. park-like expanse which extended from the present location of Tenth Street to the Cove at Fifteenth Street, and from Wfillow Avenue to the river. Although the southern part of the city had been built up. the River Walk and the Elysian Fields still retained most of their natural beauty. At this time the Knickerbocker Baseball Club flourished and it is said that the first game of baseball ever played was played on these fields. As the eity has become commercialized. the River Walk and Elysian Fields have given place to the Hobo- ken Shore Road and the shipping.: piers, although a small park still remains at the northern end of Castle Point 'l'erraee.,' Edwin A. Stevens died in the year 1868. and left as a final gift to the nation for which he had already done so much, provision for the establishment of the :W Castle Point, by J, H. Cunlz. 'H7 Trwnly-vigil!

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. Mis.. ... YIICXV FROM H00l1'0l MAIN Bl'ILDlNG The Carnegie Laboratory of Engineering is the gift of the late Andrew Car- negie, who was a member of the Board of Trustees of the college. Although prac- tically completed in the fall of 1901, the building was not fully equipped until February 6, 1902, at which time Mr. Carnegie presented the keys to Mr. Dod, the President of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Carnegie endowed the building with a total of 5li275,000. It was President Morton who contributed most in time, energy, and money to the expansion of the college. The present position of Stevens as a leading school of engineering, is due in a large measure to the industry and generosity of this one man. His gifts of money and machinery amount, in the aggregate, to about 9514-43,- 000. President Morton died in 1902 after having given thirty-two years of devoted service to Stevens Institute. Dr. Alexander Crombie Humphreys was elected his successor. The new president took up his duties in the fall of 1902, although he was not formally inaugurated until February of 1903. Dr. Humphreys brought to l1is new ofHce all the knowl- edge and enthusiasm of a man of science, and to these qualities added the force and executive ability of a successful business man. To him also, Stevens owes much of what she is today. The present Laboratory of Chemistry is the result of plans made by Dr. Morton for a com- bined Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics. It was built on ground presented by Edwin A. and Robert L. Stevens, both wAi.xEn GYMNASIUM sons of the founder. The Thirly