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Historic quadrangle of the University
of Nevada
Photo by Bob Blesse, Courtesy
of Special Collections, University of Nevada, Reno Library |
The University of Nevada was established as a Land Grant university in
Elko in 1874. In 1884, the campus was moved to Reno, where it has become
a well reputed, but comparatively small, educational institution. Until
the 1960s the University of Nevada-Reno was the only institution of higher
education in the state. It has contributed greatly to numerous fields,
including the humanities, mining, engineering and agriculture, and to
educational opportunity within Nevada.
Historic postcard of University of
Nevada and historic black and white photos of the quad c. 1910
Postcard courtesy of Joy Fisher, USGenWeb Penny Postcard Collection;
Black and White photos Courtesy of University Archives, University
of Nevada, Reno |
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The University's quadrangle was modeled on Thomas Jefferson's plans for
the University of Virginia campus.
Incorporating three existing 19th-century buildings such as Morrill
Hall, the campus concept became the master plan guiding the university's
growth from 1906 to 1941. During this period, philanthropist Clarence
Hungerford Mackay had great influence over the physical form of the campus
through his financial support and personal involvement in the development
of the campus. The historic campus contains 13 buildings, built from 1886
to 1945, that represent architectural styles of the late 19th century,
the Classical Revival which predominated in the early 20th century, and
one example of Art Moderne. These buildings represent the work of a number
of architects noted for their work in Nevada and elsewhere including Frederick
DeLongchamps of Reno, Robert Farquhar of Los Angeles, and the New York
firm of McKim, Mead and White, whom Mackay hired to design several buildings
starting with the Mackay School of Mines.
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The University Gymnasium, now the
Virginia St. Gym
Photo by Bob Blesse, Courtesy
of Special Collections, University of Nevada, Reno Library |
The University Gymnasium is the one building in the district not located
around the central quadrangle and lake area. It was a departure not only
from the classic campus plan, but also the classical architecture that
dominated the university's early 20th-century buildings. Designed by DeLongchamps,
the Art Moderne gymnasium was begun in 1942 but, due to World War II,
not completed until 1945. DeLongchamps's design for the gymnasium tied
it to the rest of the core campus by his choice of materials, brick and
concrete, and the overall symmetrical massing of the building. The building
reflects an important phase of DeLongchamps's work, an architect who worked
in numerous period styles.
The University of Nevada Historic District in Reno is bounded by
Ninth St. to the south, Virginia St. to the west and on the north and
east by later university development. For information on campus tours
call 775-784-4700 or visit the university's website.
The Special
Collections Department of the University of Nevada Library contains
many important and valuable research materials including historic photographs
and the Frederic J. DeLongchamps Architectural Drawing Collection.
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