User:Dgiovag/sandbox/Old Main

Old Main was built between 1857 and 1859 but wasn’t finished until 1861. The building was big so it could be used for many events and classrooms in the university. The school had set a budget for the building but at end the total was over budget by 1858. The building had many legal and money issues that cause the construction to slow down. During the construction there was the Panic of 1857, and after construction the Civil War in 1861. Old Main was built between 1857 and 1859 and was build bigger than what the plan had been. The school had set a budget for the building but at end the total was over budget by 1858.The building had three floors, including a basement, and a clock tower. The building served as many things, lounges, library, and even an art gallery. Over time the buildings rooms changed and were used for many different rooms and classrooms. The building was the oldest public institution in Illinois and has still kept its valuable history. Old Main was demolished in 1958 and a monument was placed in the spot.

History
Old Main was one of the first buildings at Illinois State University and also one of the biggest buildings located in the campus. Old Main's purpose was to serve as classrooms and rooms where events could take place since ISU was just getting started. Old Main had many events that cause the construction to slow down. Construction started in 1857 when Superintendent Powell had an idea of Old Main being the largest, finest school building in Union because it could hold many students. In 1857, the Panic of 1857 stopped construction for some time because the workers could not finish the job at the time. The Panic of 1857 was a national economic depression that was cause by Europe not wanting to buy any more American agriculture products because the Crimean War in Europe had ended and they didn’t want to purchases American products anymore. When Europe stopped purchasing from America, there was low international economy and overexpansion in America. By September 1857 everything was going downhill, railroads went bankrupt, construction stopped and many people were laid off. By 1859, the Panic was over and a few years later in 1861 the Civil War began. The Civil War started because there was differences between the states of whether or not the government should prohibit slavery in places that weren’t states yet. For the University that meant that construction had to stop and people had to go to help in the war. By 1958 Old Main was demolished and a monument was put in its place.

Structure
Old Main was put on land that use to before agricultural purposes but the spot was perfect for this building because it could be seen by many. It was the tallest and widest building in the university. The first floor was evenly distributed and included the high schools and the center. The second floor obtained assembly rooms, including desk and chair for 270 students. In the second floor there was also a small library that included a small number of reference books a reading room. On the third floor were the museum and two society rooms that could seat 250 people. Some events were held in this floor because the Normal Hall was in this floor. The Normal Hall could hold up to 1000 people, so many chose to do big lectures and events here. The museum contained many valuable collections which would attract both the students and the Normal community. The basement was divided into smaller rooms and lecture halls. In 1946, architects and engineers agreed that Old Main was Getting dangerous because it started to leaning the third floor. The third floor was removed and Old Main no longer had a clock tower or bell. By 1958, the building was old and had to be brought down because it became unsafe.

A description of an Old Main Building photograph
Old Main was ISU’s biggest building in the 1860’s, the building had three floors, including a basement and clock tower. The building was made out of brownstone and had a very colonial look to it. All the trims were white including the clock tower. It had a very bright and handsome look and very well furnished inside. The rooms were made to be spacious to accommodate many students and visitors. Throughout its years, the top floor had to be cut off because it was unleveled and could fall at any moment, the tower were the bell stood had to be fixed because it was starting to tilt. By 1958 the building was very tumbledown and was taken down.

Old Main Monument
In Illinois State University, where Old Main use to stand, now holds the Old Main Monument surrounded by a bed of beautiful flowers in the school Quad. The monument has the exact look on each side of Old Main and it serves as the monument for ISU to remember one of the first great buildings they had. Old Main had been constructed only a couple of years after the school first started, and Old Main being the greatest building at the time, it was very important to the University to make a monument after the building was taken down. The Monument of Old Main has some information underneath it for students to know that Old Main was important to the University and the history of ISU. It also serves as a reminder that there once was a great building in the center of the Quad that was also one of the first buildings at the University.