Posts Tagged ‘Buildings’

University of Denver Stadium

Monday, June 4th, 2012
University of Denver Stadium

University of Denver Stadium

The University of Denver stadium (also known as “Hilltop Stadium”) was dedicated in 1926 and served as the home of the University of Denver football team from 1925 through 1961, when DU dropped football as a varsity sport. It also hosted track and field events, other colleges’ football games and even professional football games until its demolition in 1971.

Planning

By 1924 DU football needed a new home: the team had been playing at University Park since 1909 with a grandstand that could seat only 10,000. DU alumni decided to launch an ambitious public bond drive. DU broke ground for Hilltop Stadium in March of 1925.

Construction

University of Denver Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony

University of Denver Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony

The construction costs ran just under $751,000, with the project using one million board-feet of lumber, 7,000 cubic feet of concrete and 295 tons of steel. The community rallied around the new structure which earned the nickname “Monument to Concrete.” As a crowning touch, the famous sculptor Robert Garrison created two massive figures of athletes, one male and one female, to grace the Stadium’s main entrance as symbols of the value of coeducation and “the vitality, the vigor, and the strength of modern American youth”.

Features

University of Denver Stadium Scoreboard

University of Denver Stadium Scoreboard

Hilltop Stadium witnessed a wide range of events during its history. Many of DU football’s most glorious victories came on its field. In the venue’s first official game, DU defeated Colorado School of Mines by a score of 27-7. However, no regional match-up overshadowed the annual rivalry game between DU and the University of Colorado (CU) at Thanksgiving. This tradition came to end when CU joined a different athletic conference in 1948. The Denver Broncos also played at Hilltop Stadium from time to time. The facility also hosted other sports during its history including soccer and track and field. The use of Hilltop Stadium extended beyond the realm of athletic competition as well. For example, Charles Lindbergh visited the Denver landmark during a parade held in his honor. Hilltop Stadium also hosted outdoor theater productions and DU commencement ceremonies for a number of years.

Demolition

University of Denver Stadium Demolition

University of Denver Stadium Demolition

DU decided to demolish Hilltop Stadium in 1971. Although the large saddle-shaped section on the west side was removed, the far smaller section to the east remained for a while longer. The venue had started to crumble, and after the discontinuation of the DU football program in 1961, a costly reconstruction of the main grandstand seemed unwarranted. DU also needed the space for its growing intramural sports program: new plans included ten lighted tennis courts and three regulation-sized playing fields for a wide variety of sports. DU has maintained a tradition of changing the configuration of this space to fit the recreational needs of its students. Today, the Benjamin F. Stapleton, Jr. Tennis Pavilion and the varsity soccer field stand on the site of the old Hilltop Stadium.

References

Fisher, Steve. “The Short, Happy Life of Hilltop Stadium.” University of Denver
Magazine. Winter 2006. 3 Oct. 2008

Haraway, Frank O. “Football.” A Tribute to Champions. Ed. Erik Prenzler. Denver: Mile High Alumni Boosters, 1985. 8-10.

Moffett, Jessie. “Statues Will Be Placed in Niches by October 25, Sculptor Announces.” The Clarion 26 September 1926: 3.

“Say Goodbye to an Oldtimer….” Communiqué (DU Faculty and Staff Publication) 21 June 1971.

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Field House Arena

Saturday, October 1st, 2011

Field House Arena

Introduction

The University of Denver Field House Arena, known as the “Old Barn,” was home to the University’s athletics programs for nearly five decades, from 1948 through 1997. It was famous for housing the University’s hockey, swimming and basketball programs. The highlight of those early years was capturing five National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ice hockey championships under the guidance of legendary coach Murray Armstrong. It was located at East Asbury St. and S. Gaylord St.

Planning

At the end of World War II the University of Denver (DU) needed to expand its athletic facilities due to vastly increased student enrollment. The old Alumni Gymnasium located near S. University and Evans Ave.  would not suffice. After months of negotiations with U.S. Senators Ed C. Johnson and Eugene D. Milliken, the University acquired a mammoth drill hall from the Farragut Naval Base in Idaho and had it shipped to Denver in 1947. Acquisition of the building by DU was also made possible by the Bureau of Community Facilities Division of the U.S. Federal Works Agency and the Veterans Facilities Division of the U.S. Office of Education. The building had been used by the U.S. Navy during World War II for drilling and recreation. The University’s Board of Trustees agreed to spend $450,000 for re-erection and remodeling of the building provided funds were available for taking it apart and transporting it  to the University campus.

Construction of DU Field House Arena

Construction

Disassembling and reconstruction of the Field House was contracted to the Gassland Construction Company of  Bellingham, Washington. The architects were George M. Rasque and Sons  from Spokane, Washington. The building was 608 feet in length, 120 feet in width and 22 feet high. It was constructed with Douglas Fir framing and 5/8 inch plywood outside. It included a swimming pool with a filtration and purification plant, gymnasium, three basketball courts, classrooms, heating plant, storage rooms, offices and locker rooms. The University spent $125,000 disassembling and transporting the drill hall to Denver. After transporting the structure the construction team began to transform the drill hall into a new home for DU athletics. The construction team added a 168 x 128 x 38 foot basketball area, a 5120 square feet classroom and a rifle range. The team reconstructed the swimming pool and the basketball court that was also used for ice hockey, rearranged the classrooms, and repainted and replaced the heating plant. The University spent $537, 000 on erection of the structure. The drill hall was finally converted into the DU Field House Arena in 1948. It covered two city blocks when completed. In total the University spent more than $1 million to construct it.

DU Field House Arena Ice Hockey Rink

Features

The DU Field House Arena was composed of three unique structures. A south wing was 30,780 square feet. It was 288 feet long and 120 feet wide with a clear span of 24 feet. The south end held classrooms, a track, and multipurpose practice space. The south wing also provided seating for 4500 spectators. The middle section contained an 82 by 50 foot swimming pool for up to 60 swimmers at a time. The pool had a capacity of 225,000 gallons of water with filtration and purification plants. The pool had a unique underwater lighting system with 15 lights at 1,000 watts each and the pool area included 1400 permanent seating for spectators. The north wing, referred to as the arena, was 46,000 square feet. It was 256 feet long and 180 feet wide with a clear span of 56 feet. A north wing housed an ice hockey rink that could be converted into a basketball court and three intramural courts. The rink was about 190 feet long and 90 feet wide.  A system of 108 inserts under the ice made it possible for the erection of circus tents, boxing rings, tennis courts, and special decorations. Under the rink was an eight station rifle range with metal target shields and target lights. The arena provided seating for 9500 spectators. It had a three-story press box 42 feet long and 12 feet deep along the east wall.  The first level was for newspaper reporters and photographers, the second for television and the top story for radio broadcasts. It was located next to Hilltop Stadium where the DU football team played and had space for intramural programs and local sports teams as well.

DU Field House Arena in the process of being remodeled.

Renovation

In 1972, after nearly 25 years of service, the University discovered serious structural problems in the Field House Arena. Heavy snowfall in December 1972 caused a crack in one of the major roof support beams in the arena.  DU athletic teams had to play in rented spaces until the University decided to repair the Field House Arena. In 1973 the University trustees launched a $2 million campaign for renovation of the Field House Arena. The renovation included features such as an upper spectator gallery, a sundeck next to the swimming pool and extending from the upper level, two intramural recreation courts, one for indoor track and the other converted to use for tennis, volleyball, badminton, and dance.  There was also a weight room, squash and handball courts, human performance lab as well as lower and upper level showers and lockers. The facility reopened in January of 1974 . The newly  remodeled Field House Arena provided more resources for students in physical education programs and additional practice courts for basketball. The color scheme on the wall in the renovated ice arena earned the facility the nickname “the Rainbow Ballroom.”  The University now had the large assembly space that it required for sporting events and school functions.

Demolition of DU Field House Arena.

Demolition

By the mid 1990s, the University realized it was time to upgrade the Field House Arena. The “Old Barn” had served DU well for nearly 50 years but a desire to raise all of the University’s athletics programs to the Division I level demanded the construction of a modern sports complex.   In 1997 demolition of the Field House Arena began. Seats and bricks from the Field House Arena were sold to commemorate past Pioneer glories, the proceeds helping the University raise the funds needed to begin construction of the new Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness.   The Ritchie Center, completed in 1999,  now stands on the site that the Field House Arena occupied for nearly 50 years.

References

“Arena Demolition Signals Start of New Athletic Era at DU,” Washington Park Profile, April 1997, 1, 9.

“Back a Winner,” (Denver: University of Denver, 1973).

Billy Gould, “New Athletic Facility Planned,” Clarion (University of Denver), January 3, 1973, 1-2.

Dean McCoy, “Letter to George Field,” (Commissioner of the Community Facilities Bureau of the Federal Works Agency), August 7, 1947.

“DU Field House,” Correspondence of Chancellor Maurice Mitchell 1972-1973,” (Denver: University of Denver Office of Public Relations, 1947).

“Farragut State Park,” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farragut_State_Park (accessed November 4, 2008 and December 1, 2008).

“New Fieldhouse Planned; Arena Will Be Repaired,” Clarion (University of Denver), February 28, 1973, 1.

“Pioneers Tied for First Place in WCHA,” Communiqué (University of Denver), December 31, 1973, 5.

“The New University of Denver Field House,” (Denver: University of Denver, 1949).

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Mary Reed Building

Monday, September 5th, 2011

Mary Reed Building 1932

Introduction

The Mary Reed Building at the University of Denver (DU) was originally constructed as the University’s library. It was built in 1932 to replace the Andrew S. Carnegie Library. The building opened on January 1, 1933. It was named after Mary D. Reed, widow of Mr. Verner Z. Reed, the donor. The building was decommissioned as a library in 1972 when there was longer space for growth of the collection, and now houses administrative offices including those of the chancellor and provost. The building is located at 2199 South University Boulevard in Denver, Colorado, 80208.

Planning

Planning of the Mary Reed Building started when Mrs. Reed donated a cash fund of $350,000 to the University for construction of a new library and provided for its support with a trust fund amounting to $180,000. Mrs. Reed and her husband Verner Z. Reed moved to Colorado Springs  Colorado in 1893 where Verner Reed made a fortune in mining, banking, ranching and irrigation. The donation made by Mary Reed was acquired from her late husband’s estate. The University chose a site located in the central part of campus with a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains. Harry J. Manning of Denver was chosen by Reed as the architect of the building.

Mary Reed Building

Construction

Ground was broken for construction of the Mary Reed Building on September 5, 1931.The firm of A. Danielson & Son was selected by the University to construct the building. Among the materials used were rose-colored bricks specially made by the Denver Sewer Pipe and Clay Company and Indiana limestone. The building was designed to reflect a modified collegiate gothic style with a tall central tower. The cornerstone was laid on February 12, 1932 and the building was dedicated from October 26 to28, 1932.

Features

Mary Reed Building

The Mary Reed Building is 63,761 square feet. The 210 x 120 square foot broad base building has four stories and a tower. The tower is 126 foot in height. The facility has gothic arches and windows, wrought-iron railings with aluminum caps, exhibit cases, cathedral lights specially designed with bronze and iron, and terrazzo stairways and corner halls. The building had three large reading rooms for reserves, reference and general reading, a Renaissance Room opened to students for browsing and leisure reading, seven supplementary reading rooms, a number of conference and seminar rooms and many small rooms for individual study and research. There was a treasure room mainly for rare books and manuscripts and exhibit rooms for archaeology and art displays.

A portrait of Mary D. Reed hangs in the building’s Renaissance Room as a result of a stipulation she made before her death in 1945 and also to commemorate her generosity.  The back of the building features the Harper Humanities Garden that introduces winding water, connecting the Mary Reed Building to Evans Chapel as well as the Carnegie Green Gardens between the Mary Reed Building and Penrose Library.

References

Buildings: Mary Reed Library, Special Collections and Archives (Denver: University of Denver Penrose Library).

Sheila S. Thompson. “Reed’s Generosity Helped Shape University.” DU Today. http://blogs.du.edu/today/news/reed%E2%80%99s-generosity-helped-shape-university (accessed August 9, 2010).

Steve Fisher. “Namesakes: Mary Reed Building.” DU Today. http://blogs.du.edu/today/magazine/namesakes (accessed August 9, 2010).

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Science Hall

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Science Hall Between 1912-1960

Introduction

The University of Denver Science Hall was the first building dedicated specifically to the study of the sciences at the University of Denver (DU). Completed in 1912, Science Hall served the University through 1996. The building was located at 2100 East Evans Avenue in Denver, Colorado.

Planning

Chancellor Henry A. Buchtel,  third chancellor of the University, initiated the fund raising effort for the building. The University received a major donation of $50,000 from well known philanthropist Andrew Carnegie towards construction of the building after his foundation had already donated $30,000 towards construction of  the school’s first library. Carnegie also gave an additional $5,000 to place the latest scientific equipment in the building. The total cost of Science Hall was nearly $100,000, with additional donations from Robert Beggs, William Hartman, Charles Crews, William Evans, Charles Hughes and William Pardee.

Science Hall Between 1912-1930

Construction

In 1911 ground was broken for construction of Science Hall. Only three University buildings stood at the University Park campus at the time: University Hall, Chamberlin Observatory (in Observatory Park) and the Carnegie Library. Chancellor William F. McDowell, the University’s second Chancellor, and Chancellor Buchtel attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for Science Hall. Construction was completed in 1912.

Features

Science Hall was a three-story building designed for the teaching of chemistry, physics and sciences in general. It was equipped with the latest science equipment due to Carnegie’s $5000 donation and funds raised by the University. Inside were lecture halls, office space, and laboratories.

Demolition of Science Hall

Demolition

Science Hall served the University for 84 years before it was demolished in 1996. By the 1970s, Glenn Davis, Director of the Physical Plant at the University received constant requests for renovation work in Science Hall. The building was antiquated  and in need of major renovation. Moreover, in the 1990s there was an increase  in enrollment in chemistry and biology programs at the University and despite the addition of the Boettcher Center, the Seeley G. Mudd Building, and the Space Sciences Research Center (now called the Physics Building), the University lacked the space that it needed for chemistry and biology classes.  The University did not have funds at the time to provide the sciences with a new classroom and laboratory building until the University successfully launched a campaign. Chancellor Daniel Ritchie found the needed financial support to replace Science Hall and there was no opposition to his decision. Science Hall was demolished but the old cornerstone from the building is displayed in Olin Hall,  built in 1997 to replace the Science Hall.

References

Allen Breck, “From the Rockies to the World: The History of the University of Denver, 2nd ed,” (Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, 1997).

“Carnegie Sends $5000 for D.U. Science Building,” Newspaper Clippings (Denver: University of Denver Penrose Library).

Carol Farnsworth, ed., “Built for Learning: A Unified Architectural Vision for the University of Denver,” (Denver: University of Denver, 2008).

“F. W. Olin Hall: Dedication,” (Denver: University of Denver, 1997).

“F. W. Olin Hall Groundbreaking Ceremony,” (Denver: University of Denver, 1995).

“F. W. Olin Foundation Grants Science Hall,” Chronicle (The University of Denver Campaign), Summer 1995, 8.

“Science Hall,” Special Collections (Denver: University of Denver Penrose Library).

“Work in Science Hall,” Memorandum, (Denver: University of Denver Chemistry Department, 1975).

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Buchtel Chapel

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Buchtel Tower

Introduction

Completed in 1917, Buchtel Chapel  was first called Memorial Chapel in honor of  those in the DU community who had died serving their country during World War I. A  fire destroyed the chapel in 1983, and only one of the original four towers still stands today.[1] The one remaining tower is located east of Penrose Library at 2150 South Evans Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80208.

Planning

Memorial Chapel was constructed to provide the University of Denver (DU) with a chapel that could hold both religious and secular assemblies.  The name recognized the sacrifices of those DU alumni who died serving their country during the Great War, and a bronze plaque honoring those men who lost their lives adorned the north wall of Memorial Chapel.

Buchtel Tower at night

Construction

The history of the Buchtel Chapel began in 1907 when Methodists in the Colorado Conference began to collect funds for its construction. Although a cornerstone was laid three years later the Chapel was not completed until 1917.

Renaming

In 1949, the University’s administration decided to rename the Chapel the Buchtel Memorial Chapel after the chancellor who had overseen its construction, Henry A. Buchtel (1874-1924).  Buchtel served as DU Chancellor from 1900-1924 and Colorado Governor from 1907-1909.

Features

Buchtel Tower

The Chapel’s exterior was a fusion of Moorish and Spanish Missionary influences. A tower stood at each of the building’s four corners, each one topped by an impressive copper dome. Despite its Methodist roots, a tablet within the Chapel reminded visitors of the ecumenical mission of the University. It read, “In hope that religious prejudices may vanish from the life of all Christian bodies.”  The Chapel held numerous secular events such as freshmen assemblies and guest lectures. The DU Music School frequently used the facility for classes, practice sessions and concerts. Buchtel Chapel was also a favorite place for alumni gatherings. The Chapel was one of the most recognizable and meaningful buildings on campus, a constant through years of tremendous change at the University. Two of the more well-known objects owned by the University were housed in the Chapel: a copy of the Sistine Madonna created by the copyist Hermann Till and a donated pipe organ.

Demolition

In 1983 a fire destroyed nearly all of Buchtel Chapel, leaving only the large northwest tower standing. The Denver Fire Department concluded that arson was the cause of the fire though no arrests were ever made. Today the single  Buchtel Memorial Tower remains one of the unique features on campus. It now houses a Victory Bell that rings once a year upon the conclusion of commencement ceremonies.

References

“An Invitation to Buchtel Memorial Chapel,“ (Denver: University of Denver, 1958).

“Buchtel Memorial Chapel (Tower) Historical Factsheet,” (Denver: University of Denver Office of News and Information, 1992).

Leslie Scofield, “Glimpses into the University’s History: Buchtel Memorial Chapel,” (Denver: University of Denver Archives, circa 1960).

“The Renaming of Memorial Chapel,“ (Denver: University of Denver, 1949).

Steve Fisher, “Namesakes,” University of Denver Magazine, Summer 2006. http://blogs.du.edu/today/magazine/namesakes (accessed December 3, 2012).

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Penrose Library

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Penrose Library

Introduction

Penrose Library is the main library of the University of Denver (DU). It was completed in 1972 as a successor to the Mary Reed Library. Penrose Library’s mission is to enable “the members of the University community to use information resources creatively, analytically and critically toward the acquisition of knowledge.” The library is located at 2150 East Evans Avenue in Denver, Colorado.

Planning

In 1972 the El Pomar Foundation provided funds for construction of the Penrose Library and the library was named after Spencer Penrose.  Spencer Penrose started the foundation with his wife in 1937. He made his fortune by investing in Colorado mining during the 20th century and the El Pomar Foundation was an effort to give back to Colorado. The El Pomar Foundation donated a total of $4.5 million to the University and it was the largest gift in the history of the foundation as well as the largest single gift the University had ever received from a foundation at the time.

Penrose Library Between 1972-1980

Construction

Penrose Library broke with all previous architectural styles on the DU campus. By the time the library opened, the University needed the additional space for its growing book collections.

Features

Penrose Library has a simple square layout that guarantees ease of use for its visitors. The main colors on the inside of the building were yellow, orange, red and purple. Seating was unique and included: doughnut chairs, pod or egg chairs

Penrose Library Herman Miller Egg Chair

and carpet formations upon which one could climb. Penrose Library changed over the years to meet the changing needs of students. In the 1980s, the University replaced the wooden-drawer card catalog with a new computer catalog. Subtler colors have taken the place of the old vivid hues, although these colors do still remain in some places. Many of the older chairs have been replaced by more functional counterparts. Several outside services have found a home at Penrose Library as well: Quick Copy Center, Center for Teaching and Learning, University Technology Services Help Center, the Writing Center, multiple computer labs, and even a new coffee station. Wireless Internet access was also made available throughout the building in 2008. The library’s collection contains well over four million print volumes and even more online resources.

References

Allen Breck, “From the Rockies to the World: The History of the University of Denver,” 2nd ed. (Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, 1997).

Steve Fisher, “Happy Birthday Penrose,” University of Denver Magazine, Winter 2003: 7.

Steve Fisher, “Namesakes,” University of Denver Magazine. http://www.du.edu/magazine/archive/2006/02/Namesakes.html. Summer 2006 (accessed November 24, 2008).

Steve Fisher, “Who Was Penrose?” Penrose Library News, Spring 2005 p. 4.

“Penrose Library,”  University of Denver Penrose Library. http://www.penlib.du.edu (accessed November 24, 2008).

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