Stanford University - Quad Yearbook (Palo Alto, CA)

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JManforb $uab 1902 Ph,t» b A. 0. Aunt Section or the Feiece in Cour»e or Construction I he Growth ot the Quadrangle MAY 14. 1887, the corner-stone was placed in the Inner Quadrangle, the beginning of a great work, by loving parents, to the memory oi an only son, I .eland Stanford, Junior. Those who witnessed that impressive ceremony can hardly realize the arduous task which was left the surviving founder of carrying out the great scheme that is making this University one of the leading educational institutions in the world. Shepley. Rutan Coolidge of Boston, successors to the famous Richardson, were the architects selected for this important work. The design, originating from the old Santa Barbara Mission, is now being carefully adhered to. Ten years ago. in August. 1891. the University first opened its doors, anti its progress during the ensuing years, despite its trials and tribulations, has been slow out sure. With the opening of the University only the Inner Quadrangle. Encina and Rohle Halls were completed, houses being rapidly erected for the Faculty. After the death of Mr. Stanford and a lapse of five years, one began to realize that the original plan was not merely a drawing, but a substantial fact that would live forever. The gift of Thomas Welton Stanford, for the erection of the Library, started the Outer Quadrangle, the corner-stone for which was laid in 1S99. Simultaneously with the Library, the walls of the Assembly Hall l egan to rise, followed by the Memorial Arch in the same year. The sculptured frieze of the arch is from the model and description by St. Gaudcns, and is being executed by Ru| ert Schmid- The design represents the •S

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JManforb $uab 1902 Baltimore, Gilman's westward pointing, and then a day in March, 1891, when Andrew I). White and Mrs. Comstock talked to the founders and settled the fate of the University. Some university there would have been, anyway. But this University, with its golden glamour, its winds of freedom, its happy-go-luckyism. its buoyancy, its energy, its modernness — this University exists ! ecause David Starr Jordan was chosen President. However little or much of all this reaches down to the twenty-sixth century, there will emerge out of the pre-natal period a noble plan of buildings well realized, a masterful President, an energetic Faculty, and a modern, progressive program. II. The Golden Age.— n 1890-91 the University of California had, in the colleges at Berkeley, 450 students. At Stanford it was determined to prepare for a possible 200. On the natal day, October 1, 1891, over 400 appeared. The first Register showed 559, distancing Berkeley by thirty. It was a truly cosmopolitan crowd. Not even Charley Field would maintain that all were equally fitted for the higher education. But in 2601 nobody will guess that. And if all were not “ beer and skittles,” if there were also difficulties, unexpected, appalling, crudenesses unimaginable, President Jordan did not let on, Fesler is silenced, and the History Major will never suspect. In the receding vista of six centuries the taming of Encina, the reign of Zion, the lusty exploits of the Pioneer Class will all alike ap| ear as threads of light in the golden garment. The earnestness, the enthusiasm, the intoxicating delight of fresh beginnings; the rollicking tread of the President speeding from one appointment to another; the stirring air of expansion ; the vigor, independence, achievement — these are the local colors with which H. M. will touch up his musty tale. “That tired feeling” which sometimes comes over University faculties will have no place in the Golden Age. HI. In the Breakers.— There was a sudden pull-up. Two years had been completed. The experiment had been made to go, and the results commanded the respect of the educational world. Plans for enlargement were all but perfected. The salary roll had been doubled. At first there was only the feeling of sorrow and loss in the death of Mr. Stanford. Only Mrs. Stanford and President Jordan divined the coming storm. Would even they have had the courage to face it if they could have foreseen the four long years of strain, the prolonged panic, the government suit, the threatened collapse of pro| erties, the importunities of heirs, the numbing sense of utter lack of needed moneys ? At any rate, the undaunted, unconquerable courage of the one, and the fertile, irrepressible buoyancy of the other — that sublime pretense that all was right — prevented the catastrophe which all of Mrs. Stanford's advisers regarded as inevitable. It would be a pity if the History Major of 2501 were to miss the essential spirit of this day of trial. It gave a meaning to sacrifice. It consecrated the University. There will never be any more wholesome academic life than breathed through those days of doubt and trial. IV. The Renaissance.— As suddenly as the trial had come, so suddenly it (Kissed away. Almost before we were aware, when we had almost trained ourselves not to expect it, the good ship sailed into calm waters. H. M. will see it in the new buildings, in the tremulous feeling betokening an imminent expansion in every corner of the University. He will see it also in the internal readjustment and reorganization, in the loss of mere abandon and happy-go-luckvism, in more concentration, higher standards, more sense of responsibility, the dignity, the poise, the solidity that comes of stability and fairly .adequate resources. 'Hie I)ecade closes on the threshold of great things. Great things will come because they have l een prepared for, because the heart of the University is sound, liecause the Stanford spirit is wholesome, manly and womanly. The History Major will summarize the First Decade by finding m it the kernel and promise of all that was to come after, the enduring foundation of a noble superstructure. O. L. E. »4

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JHcmforb $uab 1902 “ Progress of Civilization in America. The central figure on the front of the arch is Civilization, the beginning and end of the processional scene. Providence ” is on the left. Columbus, taking his mission from Providence, tears the veil from America, standing between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Pizarro and Cortez appear mounted, tearing down the idolatry of ancient America preparing the way for Christianity. On the corner of the arch is the chief Aztec Divinity, and on the west end Las Casas, preaching of the cross to the Indians. The next step in the evolution of events is the peculiarly American idea of Liberty protecting Religion, thus bringing Christianity to the New World. The Pilgrims are seen landing at Plymouth, and this cycle ends with the figure of Wisdom. The discovery completed, the work concerns itself with the United States. On the rear of the arch we see the march of the thirteen States, led by Washington, acconi| anied by two generals on horseback. The result of the War of Independence is shown by the figure of Columbia, or the United States, occupying the center of the frieze; from her proceeds Abundance,pointing to the virgin lands westward. First comes a group representing Grazing, with the god Pan ; then Ceres, with mowers and reapers ; Mining, on the comer of the arch—a Cyclops; Electricity, with the Leyden jar; Steam, with boiler and fire; the Sciences, Philosophy, Medicine and Mathematics, and the corner crowned with Minerva, a bear at her side, representing California. Again at the front of the arch we see Titans, holding up the mountains. The Railway is pictured—Mr. and Mrs. Stanford riding on horseback, and the Genius of Engineering superintending the work,— the end and beginning of which is Civilization. In 1900 the corner-stone of the Memorial Church was laid, with simple and impressive ceremony. 'Hie Science. Physics and History buildings and the Chemical I-aboratory were begun soon after. 'Hie new buildings are creeping slowly around the old, the Outer Quadrangle gradually enclosing the Inner. But the beloved Inner Quadrangle has lost none of its l eauty. It will always have for those who have been associated with the University a peculiar charm and attraction. Many millions will be spent in the construction of these buildings. The hearts of students the world over should feel grateful to the surviving founder, and say, earnestly, God bless the name of Stanford. Chas. Ed. Hodges. i 6