The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1909-05-20
FRoVT OF QLl4D AkTORE QAl4Ax-

In the spring of 1906 the last of the
great buildings of Stanford university
were rapidly nearing completion, since
the laying of the cornerstone In 1887,
the work of construction had been
practically unceasing. First came the
inner quadrangle, upon the completion
of which the university was formally
opened to the public. Then the outer
quadrangle. an imposing array OF
buildings.
The two architectural triumphs OF
the university, however, were those
which marked the front and center OF
the quadrangles-the Memorial Arch
and the Memorial Church The for
mer rising 100 feet above the en-
trance to the quadrangles. and bearing
the heroic frieze by St. Gaudens por-
traying the Progress of Civilization
In America" was a memorial to Le-
land Stanford. Jr.. whose name Is per
petuated In that of the university.
The church, the most wonderful struc-
ture of its kind in America, was
erected by Mrs. Stanford. as the
legend above It's doors stated, ITO
the glory of God and In loving mem
ory OF my husband. Leland Stanford"
And then in the gray dawn Of that
memorable April IS. 1906. the campus
writhed and shuddered in the grip of
the terrific earthquake. and the splen.
did buildings which had cost years OF
time and millions OF money to con-
struct were ruthlessly shattered In a
moment.
Comparatively little has been pub.
lished. however, concerning the work
of reconstruction which has since
been steadily going forward. Inquiries
are constantly made as to the extent
to which reconstruction has been ac-
complished, and also as to the pres
ent condition of various buildings
For the benefit OF those who have
not been able to gain definite informa
ton concerning the present condition
of the university. the following facts
are presented.
The earthquake was on Wednesday
April IS. at a few minutes past five
In the morning. BY nine o'clock d
notice was posted on the bulletir
boards. signed by President Jordan
stating that all university work would
be suspended until Friday morning, II
order that the engineering experts
might examine and report upon the
condition of the damaged buildings
When Friday morning came. It wal
announced that the damage was 81
far-reaching that no more work woult
be attempted that semester. but tina
the fall term would open in August al
usual. Students were accordingly dis
missed to their homes. and the recon
struction Of Stanford was begun. un
der the direction of commission o
engineers.
The architecture of the universit,
had been OF two main types. Th
: quadrangles were an adaptation OF tn
California mission architecture. hay
ing wide arcades. paved courts, an
low, tiled roofs. or these buildings
which contained practically all tn
class rooms Of the university. those Il
the outer quadrangle suffered tn
: most damage, since they were al
| niOTt imam Ouc btoIy III utlSHNs NOu
OF them. however, were injured be
yond repair. and to them the author
tiles first turned their attention. A
? OF these buildings are now completed
, restored. the last step In the recor
I struction being the placing OF a fire
/. proof roof upon the Thomas Welto
: library building. situated In the righ
+ half OF the principal facade. Thi
building. which was to have bee
) made the law library upon the con
/. pletion OF the new building. will no.
D be used as the general library 70
4 some years to come.
Z Several additional buildings hav
3 been constructed since the earthquake
? most OF them being devoted to tn
3 engineering and woodworking depar
I ments, These have been placed nea
: the other engineering buildings in th
q rear Of the outer quadrangle