University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1908-10-26
MRS. F. III. SEARES ON
EARLY ARCHITECTURE
Columbia Woman Writes Of the Influence OF
the Six Stately Old Columns on the
University Campus.

Hardin, Governor of Missouri in 1874
1t was built about 1920, and was the
first brick house in this part of the
country. Now, proud of its title as the
Oldest house in Columbia, it sits and
dreams of the merry parties which once
passed in and out it's dignifed, arched
doorway in the good old times before
the war.
| The other small, colonial dwelling is,
perhaps, more striking illustration Of
that subtle relation which here exists
between the active present and the his
toric past. Like the columns, and like
the traditions which all this southern
architecture seems to represent, the
Duncan house" has been left upon a
pedestal by the rapid progress of the
university and the town. The street at
its side has been cut so far below the
building, that few of the passing stu
dents, on their way to town, give it
glance. And vet its pure Doric porch is
the admiration of every visiting archi-
tect. Crowded by buildings which year
by year expand to accommodate more
students, this perfect little piece of
design with it's restful, dewindOwed
facade, emphasizes most sharply the
lack of taste in modern contract build
ing. More and more as one studies it,
must he marvel at the powers of the
master workman who, before the days
of books of artistic houses" built with
such IA fine sense of proportion. Inside,
a quaint oak stairway leads to the low
second story where eight girls once
slept in one of the small rooms and
tested well the hospitality of the
southern hostess.
Preservation IS Problem.
But even the best built houses do not
last forever; and the preservation of
some of these historic places has become
/ most perplexing problem. The south
,rn civilization which they represent,
However, will live when they are gone
is spirit pervades the university life
md holds its quiet place in every por-
ion of the charming college town.
lacked at by the frOntiersman, who,
till eXtant within the state, hews
own its fine old trees; cut and slashed
y the new streets which are dividing
IS beautiful lawns and taking the place
t its graveled highways, it still tri-
mphs, because it is vital, spiritual
hing.
Its traditions are perpetuated by liv-
lg descendants of southern mothers, :
hose chief purpose in life was to cul-
waite and instill into their households
he manners and customs, the dignity
nd poise, the gracious hospitality of
he old south.
The University of Missouri is passing
trough its third architectural period.
he buildings which are now being
ected are extremely picturesque in
'eir early English style, and in the
individuality with which
ey express the varied requirements of y
modern university. They are being y
AIMED by architects of high stand ~
g; and as they take their places upon
e wooded hillsides of the college farm, :
among the street trees of the town,
ey seem to form the beginning of a
eat outer quadrangle. 4
All Sections Meet Here. y
these buildings are gathering of
2 sons and daughters of the present tn
Dple of Missouri. From the northern W
lnties come descendants of New Eng or
I'd and the Middle States. From the fo
pnch and German settlements along
river come the sturdy, fOrceful p,
RS of European traits and training. til
lile from the interior, and from the us
at cities, the farmer sons of Missouri tb
1 the scions of old families, alike et
ept the privilege of attendance at the tn
versity of their state. Here all alike us
meet and be influenced by this vic bu
ious spirit of the conquered south. lit
n the ideals of the place, chivalry sic
y still be found to take precedence tw
r scholarship. Within the old library,
ks on oratory may have crowded off sic
shelves treaties OH sanitation and tb:
nestle economy. The numerous stu ba
is who work their way through col ket
, may be annoyed when their demand tho
work, outside the campus, seems to cea
lg them into competition with the bla
,e negro population. And even the bar
ndson of Virginia planter may here far
spoiled by the opportunity afforded 7
to show his opinion of a man who tha
ks with his hands. of
ut through it all, and so far, domi- ma
ng all, there moves this potent es- Thi
e of the sunny south, which will her
let the day be all for work, which r
the restless, stirring breeze of mod car
college life throws gallantly its old be
, fragrance, and which still within car,