Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

Page 32 text:

rr THE llilltS kerosene lamps and tallow candles, and heated, for the most part, by coal and wood stoves. Chief source of water for stu- dents and faculty alike was an old hand pump, located at the north end of the present-day church. As time went on, however, these inconveniences were done away with. By 1872, steam heat had replaced the older modes in both College and Monastery, and campus-made gas was used for illumination. A new system of water-works was constructed in 1871. From a spring just south of County Road and across the railroad tracks, water was pumped—at first by wheel-pump, and later by hydraulic power—to a reservoir near the old col- lege building, and then relayed to tanks in the college and Mon- aster)». The first new building erected after the Silver Jubilee was the gymnasium, a comparatively small frame structure located a short distance west of what is now Alumni Hall. It was well- equipped for athletic endeavors, and large enough to serve, until 1879, as parish church for the surrounding district. S x n after Father Calberry became president in 1872, con- struction of the long-dreamed-of college building was begun. The first stone of what is now the west wing of Alumni Hall was laid in April, 1873; the following September saw the Cross raised into position atop the cupola, 100 feet above the ground; and in February, 1874, the building was ready for occupancy by teachers and students. The Rev. Patrick Stanton, O.S.A., became President of Villa- nova in 1869, succeeding l-'ather Mullen. The new gymnasium and a waterworks were outstanding among the many improvements made during his administration. The first Villanova catalog was published in 1871 in Father Stanton's administration. The notes written upon the cover shown are those of Father Middleton, former President and Librarian of the college. To relatively small groups of men was given the task of edu- cating Villanova students during the early years. The college’s curriculum then included courses in English, Latin, Greek, French, German, philosophy, bookkeeping, music, and drawing.

Page 31 text:

mm mi in 1x92 THE second quarter-century of Villanova's existence was a period of expansion. The school had survived two critical periods, in addition to the perils normally the lot of any endeavor in its infancy. It remained for her now only to become firmly estab- lished as an educational institution. From 1867 to 1892, her scope was broadened; her buildings were enlarged, her faculty was increased, and her enrollment had swelled. At the end of this period, her rank was recognized; she had made a name for herself. BUILDINGS During her second twenty-five years Villanova’s growth is measurable by the increase in the number, size, and facilities of her buildings, and by the improvements which were made in already existing struc- tures. At the beginning of this period, they were as ’’old-fashioned —to our eyes—as all buildings of that day were: lighted by This old Baptismal certificate shows that there was a Parish Church at the time and that the Sacraments were administered there. Mrs. Shea lived on the Belle Air estate, having been informally adopted as a child by the Rudolph family. Villanova in 1872 was not a large place. To the right is the College building, completed in 18-14. In the center is the Monastery, which had been the old Rudolph home, and to the left the chapel and gymnasium. In the foreground is the Lancaster Turnpike. Then little more than a dirt road, along which the stage- coaches traveled, it was nevertheless an important thoroughfare, just as it is today.

Page 33 text:

The early use of postage stamps in this country is evidenced in this letter, sent from Georgetown University to Father Farrell in 1865. At that time, the postoffice was at Hender- son's, a country store in West Haverford. The Rt. Rev. Thomas Galberry, O.S.A., succeeded Father Stanton in 1872, and remained in office until his elevation to the Bishopric of Hartford, Conn., in 1876. During his administration, the new College building was completed. This corner workshop was a far cry from our present modern laboratories. The equipment, however, used in the teaching of Physics, was up to date and adequate for the time. The first Bachelor of Science degree was granted in 1872. The interior view of the Chapel (left) shows the original main altar; when completed in 1887, the edifice contained a total of ses-en altars.