University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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Intermingled with one’s remembrances of friends, athletic contests, scholastic work, and the many other events of college life, is that most endearing recollection of “The Campus.” It is often true that the college campus seems more beautiful and more dear to one after school days are past, when the mind turns backward a'nd beholds in mental imagery that one place of all.places—the campus of our Alma Mater. While living our busy college days we are apt to be carried away by the rush of activities and too often is it true that a student hurries in, around and out of the campus without stopping to appreciate its full beauty and significance. Arizona’s campus not only makes an unusual first impression but it continues to “grow” upon one, its beauties unfolding, its splendor increasing. Ours is truly a campus beautiful”—a “garden spot” in the desert country which surrounds it and with which it makes a striking contrast. Parks, lawns, shrubbery, evergreen trees, palms and flowers harmonize well with the mountain background. In midwinter these peaks are often covered with snow, causing us to appreciate even more the comforts of our sunny garden. Entering the campus through the Prescott gates, one is confronted by a network of roadways which lead in graceful curves to all parts of the grounds. Some of the drives are bordered with palms or palovcrdes; others with peppers, ash, olives, or pomegranates. The campus displays two striking types of parks. One is carefully plotted. Its walks are bordered by well-trimmed hedges. Its surface is covered with green grass, with here and there plots of flowers and plants. In the shade of its ornamental trees violets blossom even early in January. The other is our cactus garden, where the desert holds sway in its natural vigor. Here one finds the dry earth covered with all types of desert vegetation, such as the giant sahuaro, thecholla, the Spanish dagger, prickly pear, Yucca palms, greasewood, cat-claw bushes and century plants. The campus is not lacking in “lovers’ lanes.” Throughout its domain one finds foot-paths winding through gardens or passing beneath the protecting shade of drooping trees. In secluded spots are found comfortable benches which invite the passerby to accept their hospitality. Throughout the entire year one breathes deeply a most invigorating combination of the odor of flowers mixed with the warm and pure breath of the desert. An early, definite plan of arrangement of building locations and roadways has resulted in an added attractiveness. Our buildings themselves are of varied design and lend much to the beauty of the campus. Surrounding the buildings are pretty, green lawns and flower beds which blossom the entire year. Beautiful as is the campus today, it holds promise of an even greater charm for the campus of tomorrow.

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Historical Sketch The material for Chapter I of the History of the University of Arizona was provided by the first Legislature, which met in 1864. A bill was passed creating the University and providing for a Board of seven Regents, who were instructed to choose a site and locate the University within two years. But those days were strenuous ones. The Indians were very troublesome and the strife for existence great. The days of the pioneer were not best suited for definite educational action. Consequently the formation of the University lay dormant for twenty years. During this period the loyal citizens of the state kept the desire for a University uppermost in their minds and hearts. In 1885 an appropriation of $25,000 was made to found a “ University of Arizona” at Tucson. The contract was let for our oldest building, University Hall, and on October 27, 1887, ground was broken and actual work begun on the construction of our University. After some delay the building was completed and the University opened its doors for classes in October, 1891. In the earlier days the progress of the University was not rapid by any means. This was because the population was widely scattered and because the pioneers did not fully appreciate the advantages of University training. Dr. K. C. Babcock came to the University as its President in 1903 and from that time the University has experienced an encouraging growth. His administration was characterized by a rise in standards of scholarship in all departments of the University. After seven years of efficient work Dr. Babcock left Arizona. He now fills the position of Dean of the College of Letters in the University of Illinois. Dr. A. II. Wilde came in 1910 from Northwestern University to take the Presidency. Never in Arizona’s history had the University been brought in such close contact with the schools of the State. In 1913 Dr. Wilde resigned to take up work as Dean of the Department of Education at his Alma Mater, Boston University, and Dr. R. B.Von'Klein-Smid was secured from DePauw. President von KleinSmid has won the admiration of every student of the University and the confidence of the entire State. Prom the last two legislatures, liberal appropriations have been secured for improvements in buildings and grounds and for the extension of our work. The University faces today the brightest outlook since its foundation.