Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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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

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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 AIR, HISTORY OF BELLE AIR lege building, one wing of which was begun in 1848 and finished in February, 1849. It was 88x55 feet, and cost $11,958.77. On the second floor of this new building was opened a library, which was beautifully designed and suitable for that purpose. For the year 1849-50, Father Harnett issued a Prospectus of courses which included: Greek, Latin, English, Mathematics, Poetry, Rhetoric, Chemistry, Ge- ography, Natural and Moral Philosophy. President O’Dwyer was failing in health and went to Mt. Hope, near Baltimore, where he died, May 24, 1850. He was suc- ceeded in the Presidency by Rev. William Harnett. It was during this time that College Regulations were put into effect. The next commencement was held on July 15, 1851, at which Charles O’Donnell was valedictorian. Great advancement was made in 1852. The Monastery was enlarged by the addition of a stone building, and a large two-story building was erected which was used as a laundry and bakery. At the commencement held on July 14, 1852, Francis Harper delivered the valedictory address. A theological department was inaugurated in 1853, among the first appli- cants for which were Mr. Farren, of Boston, Mass., and Mr. Stack, of Pittsburgh, Pa. July commencements were abandoned during this year. The first time the College used the power granted to it by the State to con- fer degrees was at Commencement June 27, 1855, when James F. Dooley and Henry E. Alexander received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Two years later Mr. Dooley had the degree of Master of Arts conferred upon him by Villanova. In 1865, Rev. Ambrose A. Mullen succeeded Father Harnett as President of the College. With him were associated Fathers Pacifus A. Nemo, Philip Izzo, Francis M. Sheeran, Vice-President, and Thomas C. Middleton. Father Nemo was regent of studies for sixteen years, during which time (in 1869) the doc- torate degree was conferred upon him. In 1869, Rev. A. A. Mullen was succeeded by Father Stanton as President. A gymnasium was erected and was fully equip- ped. In his administration COLLEGE CATALOGUES WERE PUBLISHED for the first time in 1871. Water works were erected at the foot of Mt. Misery (which name was given to the hill above the spring-house near the Pennsylvania Railroad Station by Dr. Moriarty). After only three years in office, but, indeed, three years replete with accom- plishments by way of improvements, Father Stanton was succeeded by the Very Rev. Thomas Galberry as President. During his administration (1873 work was begun on the main wing of the College building, and on February 3, 1874, the building, which had a frontage of 174 feet, was occupied by students and members of the faculty. A Post Office was opened in the new College Station in 1872, and MAIL WAS DELIVERED AT VILLANOVA FOR THE FIRST TIME ON NOVEMBER 6th. On the eve of Commencement, June 29, 1875, the alumni met, and with President Galberry formed an ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. Father Galberry left Villanova to become Bishop of Hartford, Conn., and was succeeded in the Presi- dency by Rev. Thomas C. Middleton. Paye twenty-seven