Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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-----f] |L BELLE AIR BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF THEODORE LREIMEL ASS OCI ATE EDITOR I ROBERT SULLIVAN ASSISTANT EDITORS DANIEL vJ.LANE WALTER HR1QRDAN CHARLESJ.SBARBORO ViNCENTREGAN RICHARD QUINN JR. BUSINESS MANAGER JAMES J. DALY ASS0GBU5INES5 MANAGER WILLIAM J.O'DONNELL CIRCULATION M’G'R. HERMAN H.O'BRIEN ASSIST.CIRCUL. MGR. PHIUPA.HQLLAND ADVERTISING fflGR WILLIAM B.SMEEHAN STAFF ARTIST REVJ.EHYSON A.M. O.S.A FACULTY ADVISOR Page twenty-five

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▼ ▼ BELLE AIK Rev. Joseph E. Hyson, A. M., 0. S. A. Faculty Advisor The 1924 Belle Air Page twenty-four

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HISTORY OF BELLE AIR “Belle Air” is a traditional name which is near and dear to every under- graduate and alumnus of Villanova. It is regarded so highly that its use is ex- clusive to the Senior Class’ Ball and Year Book. It is, therefore, only proper and fitting that an historical sketch be given showing how Villanova of today has grown from the site of Belle Air of more than a century past. John Rudolph, a Catholic merchant of Philadelphia who had served as a lieutenant in the War of the Revolution, bought one hundred acres for the sum of $10,000 from Jonathan Miller, of Haverford Township, upon which he com- pleted a partly erected building, and named the site “Belle Air,” in honor, it is said, of the birthplace of his father. John Rudolph died on March 30, 1841, and on October 13, 1841, Belle Air was purchased for $18,000 by Rev. Augustine Kyle and the commissary of the province. Dr. Moriarty, and on January 5, 1842, title was granted. At this time there were only five Augustinians in the United States, namely. Dr. Moriarty, Fathers Kyle, O’Dwyer, Nicholas and James O’Donnell. During the summer of 1843, the Rev. Francis Ashe, and Rev. William Harnett, who studied in Italy, arrived in the province. The probable date of the opening of Villanova is September 18, 1843. In the “Catholic” of Pittsburgh it was stated that “in 1843 the College began its career,” and it goes on further, “thirteen youth opened the establishment.” In 1844 the new college building (the east wing of old Tolentine Academy) was completed and occupied, and it was during the Spring of this year that the FIRST PROSPECTUS OF VILLANOVA WAS PUBLISHED. In May. Father O’Dwyer laid the corner stone for the new church which was opened on Septem- ber 1, 1844. by the Rt. Rev. Francis P. Kendrick. The main hall of this building served as a studv-hall. In 1846, Father O’Dwyer was appointed President of Villanova. with Fath- ers Ashe and Harnett as assistants, and several lay professors who comprised the faculty of the College. On July 21, 1847, VILLANOVA’S FIRST PUBLIC COMMENCEMENT was held on the campus north of the old College building. Rev. James O’Donnell presided at this commencement, and an essay on Patriot- ism was read by Mr. J. B. Bryant. During the same year another building was erected at the northwest corner of the College Chapel. The State Legislature was petitioned for a Charter, and on March 10, 1848, Francis Shunk, then Governor, signed “AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE AUGUSTINIAN COLLEGE OF VILLANOVA IN THE COUNTY OF DELA- WARE, AND THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.” On Wednesday, July 19, 1848, commencement was held on the campus with an attendance of more than a thousand persons. On December 30th of this year THE FIRST SEAL OF THE COLLEGE WAS ADOPTED. A small stone building was erected at the Pennsylvania Railroad to be used as a college station. Plans had been prepared for the erection of another Col- Page twenty-six 4