When the State University of Iowa (SUI) started classes in 1855, the only building available at the time was Mechanics Academy – located across from City Park, and three blocks from the Iowa Capitol Building. When the state government moved to Des Moines in 1857, Capitol Square was renamed University Square, and by the early 1880’s, the entire University was housed in four buildings – Central Hall (Old Capitol), South Hall, North Hall, with Mechanics Hall – reconditioned as the SUI Hospital. By the turn-of-the-century, that number had increased to twelve buildings with many crammed onto University Square or within two blocks of Old Capitol. The Red Brick Campus, as it was called, was beautiful, but largely ineffective in serving the rapidly-growing student body. There were two consecutive Presidents of SUI – Charles A. Schaeffer and George MacLean – who envisioned the University in ways that no one else could, and under their leadership – around 1900 – the New University plan was revealed – taking SUI from University Square to today’s Pentacrest and beyond.
CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE BLOG SERIES – Iowa City’s Top 50 Influencers – Part II
Back in 1979 – The Iowa City Press Citizen ran a special seven-page section called Chronology 1841/1979 and it featured Iowa City’s famed historian – Irving Weber – and his look at 25 People Who Left Their Stamp On Iowa City. So, here we are – forty-four years later – and now, I’m offering these two posts – dedicated to those who have greatly influenced our city over the first 100 years or so. This page features the First 25, and as you can see, each of the 25 names has a brief overview with a link(s) to read more, if you like. Enjoy!
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