University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 33 text:

Popularly Known as the Coliseum and Auditorium, the Military Hall. Built in 1881. Was Destroyed by Fire m 1894 Educator Old Main. Once Used as a Farm House. When Enlarged in 1856 Included 40 Classrooms. It Was Destroued by Fire m 1904 Then, and then only, could he feel that the University would live and flourish, and rise steadily upward toward the lofty seat upon which she must finally rest. This version of the University as a place of culture also embraced the means and manner wherewithal this culture might be obtained. Dr. Folwell constantly encouraged others to be of good hope even when the clouds hung dark and low. Situated as our first president was. among low, dark clouds of restricted opportunities, little money, ignorance and prejudice, nevertheless his vision of stately buildings, wide and spacious lawns, distinguished faculty, thousands of men and women gathered at one spot under a common purpose was not im- paired. Bit by bit, his vision is becoming substantial: laboratories, a fine library, the new Auditorium all pr ove that idealist as Dr. Folwell may have been, he was a practical and far- seeing one. The thousands that leave the doors of the University each year, and the still greater number that enter are an actual part of Dr. Folwell ' s dream come true. Besides being an Athens of culture. Dr. Folwell wished the University to become a scat of instruction in political science. The importance he attached to civic education for the . The Astronomical Observatory Was One of Prexy Northrop ' s Improvements of 1892. It Slill Does Service r »j A Scene Found Often on the Campus of 1900. The Campus Was Completely Surrounded by Farms and Parking Was A ' o( at a Premium Twcnly ' Sevrn

Page 32 text:

UtllVHSITY ' miNWSOTJ Earliest Picture of Dr. Folwell Sketch of the Pride of the State. The Agricultural Building. Built in 1875. Was Destroyed by Fire in 1888 WILLIAM WATTS FOLWELL William Watts Folwell is dead. His sixty years of service to his adopted state are over. As teacher, soldier, historian, and gentleman, he stands without a peer. He came in the youth of our state to help build her institutions. . . . Even in those meager days inflamed by the spirit of the founders of this commonwealth and stirred by his prophetic imagina- tion, he had a vision for the development of a great state university which has not yet become fully realized. As our first president. Dr. Folwell did a monumental piece of work. Besides holding a chair in mathematics, he managed all administrative and executive affairs of the University. He saw her not merely as a school of instruction but as another Athens for all those who sought culture that life might hold a deeper meaning. He inspired, advised, held out a friendly hand to hundreds of students. His one wish was that those who came to the doors of the Uni- versity should bring brave hearts and willing hands: that they should desire to do right in their day and generation, and that they should be imbued with the desire for knowledge. 01 I fe : ; aap : 1 i ;ii 5f..,l rl».L. Spsr-- Long Before Rails Were Placed in This Spot. Students Here Enjoyed Diversion from Their WorJ The L ' nicersity Was Seriously Handicapped When This. Their One Classroom Building. Was Destroyed. Old Main Is Now But a Memory Tiventy-Six

Page 34 text:

Pillsbury Hall. Built in 1889 in Honor of John S. Pillsbury, Has Been Used for Most of the Science Courses. It Noiv Houses Geology and Journalism School of Mechanic Arts as It Was Called When Built in 1886. Has Been the Home of Many Departments. Now. 44 Years Old. It Is the School of Business Economist mass, as well as minute instruction for the small class of public servants is illustrated in his own life. Upon resigning as president in 1883. he became professor of political science, leaving that position in 1907. only to begin work on his history of Minnesota. Dr. Folwell was a politician who was also an idealist. His views were that of loyalty to a state, but such a loyalty as does not ignore that men have a higher destiny than a great state. Side by side with this political idealism, was an economic bent that led eventually to this great institution, the University of Minnesota today. It was Dr. Folwell who drew up a plan to expend $30,000 each year for ten successive years to improve and broaden the Uni- versity. This plan, adopted by the legislature, but delayed by a series of fires that destroyed three great state buildings — the capitol. th: state prison and the hospital for the insane — became the foundation for all subsequent building development. His conception of a state aid plan brought about the establishment of free and public high schools upon which our doctrine of democratic education rests. As Dr. Folwell stated himself, There is. as I have said, but one resource. The State must endow the University and if the State will have This Sketch oi the Agricultural Campus Represents the E. !ent to Which It Had Grown Before It Was Moved to Saint Paul Tu. ' enly-Eighl