Science Hall
Updated 9/21/2010Science Hall
Purpose: The purpose of Science Hall was to facilitate science laboratories, such as: chemical, zoological, bacteriological, histological, and physiological. It also served as an observatory in the early years of its existence.11 The observatory was home to an 8 ½ in. refractive telescope that was donated by Francis Marion Drake]. As the building began to age and smoke from surrounding industries began to block the view of the sky, the telescope was moved to the Drake Municipal Observatory in 1921.[[skutae:Science Hall#7 7] Science Hall became more versatile in 1939 when the College of Pharmacy was added to Drake. Major renovations were commissioned to fit the needs of this new department. The second floor was equipped to provide better facilities for advanced chemistry courses and offices were added for the pharmacy staff. A private laboratory for research was created and the entire basement floor was reconfigured to house four modern laboratories and a dispensing room for elementary and advanced biology classes.12
Construction:Science Hall was constructed in 1893. It was located on University Ave, where the old trolley route used to run. Science Hall was one of the two original buildings that made up University], the other being Old Main. The building was known as Science Hall from its construction but was renamed Sage Hall in 1913.7 Numerous renovations were made during its existence to accommodate the multiple courses that were taught in its confines. In 1915, the entrance was repapered and varnished. Although the falling plaster and spider webs added to the stereotype of a science building, administration decided that renovations were necessary to preserve the building.8 In 1949, the building was razed due to the completion of Harvey Ingham Hall of Science and [[bryngelsonn:Fitch Hall of Pharmacy Fitch Hall of Pharmacy].
Observations:
| 1917 | Science Hall was offered to the United States Government to be an experiment station during World War 1. A government inspector came to observe the location on April 13, 1917, but the laboratories would not be utilized until the summer if the location was used.5 |
| 1922 | Quax]](Drake’s yearbook) revealed that classes consisted of previously recorded lectures that were being shown on “reel”.[[skutae:Science Hall#9 9] |
| 1937 | In December of 1937 a portion of the road between University and Carpenter avenues were to be closed for the building of the new science building. It was foreseen at this time that the new science building would be constructed by 1939.6 |
| < 1939 | < Renovations of Science Hall to accommodate the newly added college of pharmacy began in March of 1939. The north side of the building was equipped to facilitate the advanced chemistry classes and new tables, better pluming and more storage space was added. The main floor biology classroom remained the main lecture hall for biology courses. In addition, the basement was completely remodeled to contain four new laboratories and a dispensing room for biology courses.1 The strategic planning for the renovations made it possible to more efficiently fit students in the classrooms. Even though the reconstruction would result in about a third less floor space, the amount of students in each classroom would be able to increase. The previous set up had been inefficient and caused problems. But this new seating arrangement would prove to be advantageous for the professors and students.2 |
| < 1944 | < Science Hall experienced some creepy situations involving the four skeletons that reside there. P-38 (the pharmacy skeleton), Susie, Ichabod (named after his skull was missing) and the fourth was known as the nameless wonder. 3 |
| < 1949 | < Science Hall was scheduled to be razed on June 1st. The equipment was sold at a sale on May 9th and all salvageable equipment was saved and transferred to other locations on campus. Science Hall was permanently destroyed and the classes once held there were dispersed to numerous other buildings. There is only grass and sidewalks were the old Science Hall used to stand, but pictures keep its memory alive.4 |
| Conclusion: |
Throughout the 56 years of Science (Sage) Hall’s existence it served hundreds of science and pharmacy students with its many laboratories and lecture halls. Its architecture was very unique and if it still stood today it would undoubtedly be considered a significant historical building. Science Hall may not have been the most advanced science facility but it served its purpose and was an adequate place to stimulate learning.
Sources: #1 1) Work started on science hall. (1939, March 14). The Times Delphic//, 6.#2 2) Laboratories - scientific planning enlarges science hall space. (1939, March 21). //The Times Delphic//, 2.#3 3) Ghosts haunt science hall. (1944, April 6). //The Times Delphic//, 3.#4 4) Old science building to be razed. (1949, April 22). //The Times Delphic//, 5.#5 5) Sage hall is offered government by drake. (1917, April 15). //The Times Delphic//, 1.#6 6) Street closing to make space for new science hall. (1937, December 3). The Times Delphic, 1.#7 7) Iowa Heritage Collection, . (2005). Drake university, science hall. Retrieved from S_PROTOCOL:ddr.lib.drake.edu/u?/du-hdm,190 #8 8) Renovate science hall entrance. (1915, January 28).The Times Delphic//, 4.//#9 9) Biology department booms. (1922).The Quax//, 288.//#10 10) Drake University, . (1980).In Celebration of a Century//, 16, 32, 42.//#11 11) Science hall and astronomical observatory. (1911).Drake University Record//,// 1.#12 12) College of pharmacy added to drake university. (1939). //The Quax, 20.