The Building

Introduction | The Founding | The Founders | The Universalists | The Building | The President and the Faculty | The Students and the Curriculum | The Flourishing

During a meeting of the Universalists of Akron on January 9, 1870, a conviction developed within the group that the ideal site for the college would be on the grounds of Spicer Cemetery, soon to be abandoned. The site was chosen because it was located on high ground, with a commanding view of Akron and the Ohio Canal to the west. The cemetery was being abandoned due to its inadequacy: the soil did not drain well, with water collecting in graves, which distressed the families of the departed. 

As early as March 1870, bodies were exhumed from Spicer Cemetery and transferred to Akron Rural Cemetery (popularly known as Glendale). In September, all lands belonging to the Spicer Cemetery were conveyed by deed to Buchtel College for the sum of one dollar. Removal of the human remains proceeded until March 8, 1871. In all, at least 64 bodies were transferred, although some doubted that all of them were moved. According to school tradition, early college students often complained that heavy rains washed away the soil and exposed human remains outside the Main College Building. The ground was cleared to the satisfaction of the Board, and on March 15, ground was broken for the Main Building. 

The cornerstone of Buchtel College was laid on July 4, 1871. By some accounts, it was the greatest celebration held in the city since its founding. Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, a prominent Universalist and later presidential candidate, delivered the cornerstone address. Construction started immediately and continued for more than a year. When completed in September 1872, it was the most impressive building in Akron. The massive structure—240 feet long, 54 feet wide and five stories high—was described architecturally as a combination of Doric, Gothic and Norman.  The building housed 150 students, with men being in the east end (East Hall) and women in the west end (West Hall). Rooms for lectures, recitations, music, “apparatus” and a library were located on the two lowest floors, as were the college offices. A dining room, kitchen, gymnasium and utility rooms were located in the basement. A chapel that could seat several hundred was situated on the fourth floor in the center of the structure. The building was a symbol of pride on the campus and in the city until it burned to the ground the night of December 20, 1899, almost destroying the existence of the fledgling college.

Map of Spicer Hill Burying Ground, 1835
From the Glendale Cemetery Records in Archival Services.

This map shows Spicer Cemetery (also known as the Spicer Hill Burying Ground) in 1835. Thirty-five years later all of the bodies were exhumed and the cemetery was relocated to what is now Glendale Cemetery. The college founders negotiated with the owners, the Spicer Family of Akron, also members of the Universalist faith, to let them use the land for the site of the new college.
Spicer Cemetery Transfer, February 24, 1870
From the Buchtel College Records in Archival Services.

This document officially donated and transferred ownership of the Spicer Cemetery property to the Board of Trustees of “The Universalist College” (the College had not yet been named) for use as land to build the campus. It is signed by the owners of the cemetery, including Avery and Hiram J. Spicer, sons of the original land owner, Major Minor Spicer, an early settler of what would become Akron. Avery Spicer also served as one of the original trustees of the college.

Cornerstone of the Main College Building, ca. 1890s
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

This image shows the cornerstone of The Main College Building (now known as Old Buchtel Hall). The cornerstone of Buchtel College was laid on Independence Day in 1871. As the wording states, the college was dedicated to the “Centenary of Universalism in America.” By some accounts, the cornerstone laying was the greatest celebration held in the city of Akron since its founding. Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, a prominent Universalist and later presidential candidate, delivered the cornerstone address. Today, the cornerstone can be seen in the foyer of new Buchtel Hall.
Old Buchtel Hall, 1872
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

This photograph is one of the earliest images of the Main College Building (now known as Old Buchtel Hall), which was constructed on the site of the old Spicer Cemetery. Legend has it that before the grass and trees were planted, as seen in this photograph, that the early college students often complained about the heavy rains washing away the soil and exposing “many a human bone” left behind from the cemetery. 
View of Akron and Buchtel College, 1889
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

This view of Akron, Ohio looking up what was then East Center Street (now University Avenue) at the intersection of Summit Street (now Broadway) toward Buchtel College shows the Main College Building in the top right corner with its commanding view of the city. This high spot on the hill is why this site was chosen by the corporators of the college, even though it was occupied by a cemetery.  The Buckeye Mower & Reaper Company—of which college founder John R. Buchtel was president—can be seen on the right in the foreground. 
Description of College Building and Grounds from Buchtel College Catalogue, 1872
From The University of Akron Publications Collection in Archival Services.

This page from the first Buchtel College Catalogue describes the buildings and the grounds of the college campus. It pronounces the site as “high, affording from its observatory one of the most extensive and delightful prospects in Ohio” and the grounds as “spacious” and “ornamented with walks, trees, and hedges.” It also describes the location as “desirable and fortunate” and “beautifully situated among hills and valleys” that is “highly favored with an agreeable and healthful climate.” Most importantly, perhaps, it compliments the citizens of Akron, who it describes as “deeply interested in the educational and moral culture of the young” that will “do their utmost to sustain and foster” the college. Although the environment may have changed due to the impact of the city’s industry over the last 150 years, the rest of these statements still hold true today.
Dormitory Room in Old Buchtel Hall, ca. 1890
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.
 
This photograph shows a typical men’s dormitory room in Old Buchtel Hall. The rooms were described as “light, airy and ample, furnished with . . . modern conveniences.” The rooms typically came with a small bed, desk, chair and lamp. Students often decorated their rooms with photographs and mementos of family and friends, as seen in this photograph. Many students complained that the dormitories were too expensive and allowed no privacy, causing most male students to live off campus. Among the exceptions was J. D. Palmer, shown here playing the banjo in his dorm room in East Hall in the Main College Building (now known as Old Buchtel Hall) in the 1890s.
Buchtel College Chapel, ca. 1880s
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

The Main College Building (now known as Old Buchtel Hall) included a chapel, seen in this photograph from the late 1800s. Being a denominational college, the school and the Universalist Church were closely tied. For a time, the local Universalists met in this chapel as they did not have their own church building, and many of the college’s presidents were Universalist ministers. Due to the college’s ties to the Universalist faith, chapel exercises were frequent and mandatory for students during the early years of the institution. All students were required to attend chapel at 8 a.m. every morning—a requirement many students disliked and rebelled against in various ways.
Library in Old Buchtel Hall, 1897
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

The first campus library, seen here, was located in Old Buchtel Hall. During the early years of the college, the library contained only 7,000 volumes, had no staff, and was open only two hours a week—one hour for gentleman and one hour for ladies. As today, it was named for General Lucius V. Bierce who donated a large number of his books around 1871 to form the nucleus of the library. Bierce was a well-known lawyer, assistant adjutant general of Ohio in the Civil War, and later, mayor of Akron. Today, Bierce Library includes millions of volumes in a modern facility and is just one part of a network of libraries and archives on The University of Akron campus that provides resources, services, and expertise to support and enhance teaching, learning, and research.

 
Description of Buchtel College Grounds, 1896
From the Buchtel College Records in Archival Services.

This document details the grounds of the Buchtel College campus in 1896. It says that it consists of over 5 acres of land, “more or less,” that is bound by Buchtel Avenue, Carroll Street, and Sumner Street. It also notes that the campus consisted of the Main College Building, the Observatory, the Gymnasium, the [illegible] residence, and the Boiler House and the new Science Hall partially constructed. Today, the campus includes more than 80 buildings on 218 acres, with one branch campus and two satellite sites.
Buchtel College Property Inventory, 1881
From the Buchtel College Records in Archival Services.

This property inventory of Buchtel College was tallied by the Finance Committee
of the Board of Trustees in 1881. At that time, total real estate, which included the college buildings and grounds and a Chapman Farm, amounted to $190,000.00. Other personal property, including furniture, equipment, apparatus, and library books, comprised $7,700.77. This came to a grand total of $197,700.77, which did not include stocks and interest. This is a tiny figure compared to the cost of the campus building, grounds, and assets today.
Old Buchtel Hall Burning, 1899
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.
 
Old Buchtel Hall caught fire on the night of December 20, 1899, the day before the fall term ended. To this day, no one knows exactly what caused the fire, only that it probably started under the eaves of the building’s roof. The blaze was described as a spectacular sight that reportedly could be seen for miles. Workmen, faculty, students, police, and bystanders removed whatever could be saved from the burning building, including books, furniture, equipment and records. While the fire department rushed to the scene, they could not extinguish the blaze.
Old Buchtel Hall Ruins, 1899
Photograph from The University of Akron Photograph Collection in Archival Services.

This photograph shows the ruins of Old Buchtel Hall in the days immediately after the fire. The building, which was once considered the most impressive and prominent in the city of Akron, was completely destroyed. While no one was killed or injured in the fire, the destruction of the college’s main building delivered a major blow to the young and struggling college. However, the Universalists and the community would rally once again and vowed to rebuild the college and ensure its survival. A new building would soon be built with the financial support of many local philanthropists.
Buchtel College Pledge Card, 1900
From the Buchtel College Records in Archival Services.

After the devastating fire that burned Old Buchtel Hall to the ground, threatening the very existence of the college, the campus and the community rallied to support the fledgling institution. Not only did Universalists, industrialists, and the well-to-do donate time and money to help rebuild the college, but also ordinary citizens. The University Archives include numerous pledge cards like this one from Mary Haymaker of Kent, Ohio, who pledged $20 to the building campaign. Throughout its history, as today, the local community continues to rally around the University and support it through good times and bad.
Old Buchtel Hall Artifacts, 1870s-1890s
From The University of Akron Archaeology Lab Records in Archival Services.

These artifacts from Old Buchtel Hall were discovered by University of Akron Archaeology faculty and students during an archaeological excavation of the site before the current Student Center was built. These are some of the few remaining artifacts of Old Buchtel Hall. Pictured are (clockwise from top left): glass shards from windows and bottles, slate tile from roof, nails, charred wood, and piece of a ceramic bowl.
Map of Buchtel College Grounds, ca. 1900
From the University of Akron Maps Collection in Archival Services.

This map or site plan shows how the Buchtel College campus looked before Old Buchtel Hall burned to the ground. By the time of the fire the campus consisted of the Main College Building, Crouse Gymnasium to its East, and the Observatory to its West. This plan was drawn shortly after the fire to show what the campus would have looked like before the building burned. It also shows an outline of the “New College Building,” which we now know as new Buchtel Hall, as well as the tunnels that run under the campus, built in 1893 and 1900. However, several buildings present at the time are missing from this rendition. This map was drawn by Charles R. Olin who held many positions at the College, including librarian, secretary, treasurer, chief business officer, professor of mathematics, and apparently, map maker.