Washington University Saint Louis - Hatchet Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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the pioneering stage. Truly it could be said that the dawn of the new century was the dawn of a new era for Wa shington University. In 1901 Washington University leased its new grounds and buildings to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition for a rental of 650,000 to be expended by the University partly for permanent buildings and partly for beautifying the grounds. Tower Hall, Francis Gymnasium, and the Library in part were built from the World’s Fair rental. On account of the World’s Fair the University did not move to its new campus until January 30. 1905, after occupying the old Mary Institute building for about a year. Students were dis¬ satisfied with the lease, as they felt that the University should move to its new quarters as soon as possible. Then began a period of steady growth which continues today. Not a year has gone by in which the University has not announced some notable accession in endowment, equipment, or faculty. Those who are familiar with the records of Washington University and who possess, by virtue o f that intimacy with it which attendance brings, a feeling of close concern in its affairs, find cause for pride in its past achievements. But it is not alone the record of Washington’s past, however glorious, of which its friends are proud. A survey of its present splendor and perfection must thrill them all with a feeling of triumph, with a measure of the satisfaction and exultation that is the reward StRANGE sights on the steps Along the pikeway during the World’s Fair in 1903 Page Twenty-three

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The first fruit of the new strength in the University was the purchase of a new site opposite the northwest corner of Forest Park. This was the gift of seventy-five friends of the University. Mr. Brookings was also instrumental in securing for Washington University the Russell Institute Fund, amounting to 130,000, which was to be used for endowment purposes only. Then the task of raising money ' for buildings on the new location was taken in hand. By 1898 the Corporation had 450,000 in hand, or pledged, and needed only 100,000 to enable it to move to the new site. In February 1899, it announced six buildings—a recitation and adminis¬ tration building. University Hall, donated by Mr. Brookings; two buildings for engineering and architecture, and an engineering laboratory ' , donated by ' Samuel Cupples; a chemistry building, donated by ' Adolphus Busch; and a library building donated by ' the late Stephen Ridgley ' . It also announced a gift of 100,000 for endowment by Mr. Brookings, on condition that the Corporation raise 400,000 or more. Washington University in its struggling infancy was set upon its sturdy feet by Robert S. Brookings. On May 29, 1900, Mr. Brookings and Mr. Cupples announced that they ' had deeded over to Washington University ' in fee simple the Cupples Station property at Seventh and Spruce streets, valued then at 3,000,000 par, but actually worth much more, which created the Robert S. Brookings endowment of 1,500.000 and the Samuel Cupples endowment of 1,500.000 and gave Washington University the largest unen umbered endowment of any ' University ' in the country at that time. Washington University was beginning to outgrow I HE MAIN QUADRANGLE IN I9CO; UNIVERSITY HaLL UNDER CoNSTURCTiON Page Twenty-two

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■ St= r- =£G of those whose unselfish expenditure of energy and wealth meets fruition in the Washington Uni¬ versity of today. Indeed there is much in this great institution to evoke admiration. One feels a desire to con¬ template the entire University in one comprehensive glance and to depict it with one descriptive stroke, but its broadness and great complexity prevent this. One must consider it part by part to know it well. I he visible properties of the University arrest the attention first, and this is well, for Wash¬ ington s physical aspect is fair. Situated at the edge of a great city, the campus with its fine build¬ ings forms a part of a region of civic beauty. If human vision could really penetrate the future,surely a gratifying spectacle of Washington University of a distant tomorrow would reward its gaze.