Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-11-16

The year 1899 will be memorable
one in the history Of the South Da-
kota Agricultural College. Never
since that institution was established
has there been such marked progress
in the same length of time. Not
alone because of the large number OF
students in attendance nor yet In the
eXcellsncy of the work performed by
both students and faculty, but in the
number and psrmanency of the i'm
provements made.
If the members of the last legis-
lature, who stood by DR.. Heston and
made the appropriations whereby
these things were made possible, could
but view the transformation and un-
derstand how we'll the states funds
have been utilized, they would feel
proud of themselves and the part they
had played in assisting to build up
the best institution in the state.
Gymnasium AND DRILL HALL.
This building is one of the many
permanent improv ements made this
season and deserves more than pass
ing mention. The roof is on and 1t
will not be many days before 1t can
be utilized for the purposes for which
1t has hesn erected.
The extreme dimensions OF the
building are 66xs0, two stories high.
1t is built of red brick with two faced
walls and 10 practically fire proof, be-
ing of slow burning construction.
There is no beauty in the architecture
but it presents a solid and substan-
tial appearance, as it should.
The building fronts the south and
has three entrances on this side, one
to the girls gymnasium in the center
and one on either side OF this by
which entrance is made, up winding
stairs, to the drill hall above. To the
left of the vestibule giving entrance
to the girls gymnasium is the office
for instructor in physical culture,
while on the opposite side is the girls
dressing and toilet rooms. This room
is 16x26 and is fitted up with bath tub,
lavatory, two shower baths, individ-
ual lockers and other necessary con-
venisnces.
The room for gymnastics, and where
the young ladies will exercise in ply
sical culture, is 40x55. The floor 10
hard wood laid on concrete and the
ceiling above is supported by heavy
steel girders giving an unobstructed
floor space. The room is surrounde ed
by an elevated platform which can be
utilized as a running track.
At the left entrance, which gives
access to the drill hall above, en-
trance is made to the young mems
dressing and toilet room, which is
fitted up with all the appurtenances
found in the girls dressing and toilet
rooms. At the right entrance ad-
mission is gained to the command
ants office, l2xl6. The gun rooms
occupy small space directly at the
foot of each stairway that leads to the
upper floor.
The drill hall on the second floor Is
the feature Of the building, occupy
ing as it does the whole floor space,
nearly 66xSO feet. In our limited
space we can not describe the archi-
tectural features of this room more
than to say that the roof is supported
by four steel trusses giving an un-
obstructed floor space, and that the
floor itself rests upon steel girders
and solid masonry. Deafning felt is
used between the flooring and ceiling
below, thus making practically
noi.slsss, yet springy and elastic floor
for marching, dancing, etc.
AGRICULTURAL BUILDING.
This 10 a building 36x52, two stories
high, with an ell lSx2S. 1t has two
faced solid brick walls and is practi.
cally fire proof. Red brick is used
with cream brick and sandstone trim
minps. There are two entrances, at
front and rear. The front entrance
has an open vestibule opening into
a hall which contains lockers and
toilet facilities for dairy students.
A winding stairway leads to the
second floor.