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Washington State University Buildings and Landscapes

Thompson Hall - 1908

This page has paths:

Contents of this path:
1. Ad. Bldg. [Thompson Hall] (1949)
2. Administration Bldg. [Thompson Hall] (1909)
3. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] 1900 - 1920
4. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1908)
5. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1906)
6. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1908)
7. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1915)
8. Administration Building [Thompson Hall]
9. Images of WSC on cloth. 1901-1902 47 x 47 cm. (rotated diagonally in this image) set of 23 cyanotype photographs on cloth, some only partial images. This was owned by Catherine Friel, who says it came to her from her uncle and aunt, Will and Sarah Wallis. She identifies these as having been printed on Pongee silk and then used as a cushion before being taken apart and framed. Images 2-1 and 6-3 seem to both be historical images taken in about 1895. However, the football game in 2-2 took place on Nov. 9, 1901, and every other datable image takes place in an interval included 1901-1902, so we're assuming this cushion to date to late 1901 or 1902. Image contents, identified by row and a left-to-right numbering: 1-1: New Ferry Hall & corner of Thompson Hall (same pic as 4-5); 2-1: Thompson Hall and old College Hall; 2-2: WSC/Oregon football, Rogers Field; 2-3: Unidentified room interior; 3-1: Unidentified football player; 3-2: New Ferry Hall & Murrow Hall; 3-3: Thompson Hall & old College Hall; 3-4: College Hill; 3-5: Edge of old College Hall, with Stevens beyond it; 4-1: Unidentified building (possibly a side view of Stevens Hall?); 4-2: Stevens Hall interior; 4-3: Thompson Hall; 4-4: Silver Lake; 4-5: College Hill; 5-1: Thompson Hall; 5-2: Stevens Hall interior; 5-3: College Farmhouse; 5-4: Unidentified room interior; 6-1: College Hill (old College, Stevens, and the TUB?); 6-2: The TUB; 6-3: Thompson Hall and old College Hall (same pic as 2-1); 7-1: Unidentified room interior; 7-2: Unidentified room interior.
10. Entrance Arch and Thompson Hall 1909 - 1913
11. Excavation at Thompson Hall by Lisa and Darby
12. Lawn below Thompson Hall 1907 - 1918
13. Library, Administration Building (Thompson Hall), 1900s Prior to the 1909 construction of the campus's first designated library building (Bryan Hall, which was both library and auditorium), the Washington State College (later Washington State University)'s library was located in the top level of the Administration building, today known as Thompson Hall. When the Administration Building was built in 1894, the library moved into second floor quarters. In 1899, when the Science Building (later Murrow Hall) was built, the campus museum moved out of the upper floor of the Administration Building and into Science, and the library moved to that fourth floor location (seen here).
14. Lisa and Darby drawing profile at Thompson Hall
17. Proposed Administration Building (Thompson Hall), March 1892
18. Thompson Hall 1905
19. Thompson Hall, 1897 A photograph looking at the west facade of the recently completed Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. A dirt path leads to the front entrance; no landscaping is present. A corner of Stevens Hall is present at the left of the image. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
20. Thompson Hall (1907)
21. Thompson Hall (1916)
22. Thompson Hall, 1936 A photograph looking up College hill at the west facade of Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. A corner of White Hall is present at the left of the image; the unfinished clock tower of Bryan Hall is just visible. Defoliated trees line the walk to Thompson. Thompson Hall, formerly the Administration building, is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
23. Thompson Hall, 1950
24. Thompson Hall, 1954
25. Thompson Hall, 1960 A view looking west at the east facade of Thompson Hall, WSU building #1. Two cars and a covered truck are parked on the street. Thompson Hall, the original administration building, is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895.
26. Thompson Hall 1923 - 1932
27. Thompson Hall 1930 - 1932
28. Thompson Hall 1966 - 1968
29. Thompson Hall, ca. 1896 A photograph looking at the west facade of the recently completed Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. Grass and small saplings have recently been planted. A flag flies atop the observation deck on the left tower. A corner of Stevens Hall is present at the left of the image. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
30. Thompson Hall, ca. 1898 A photograph looking at the south-west corner of Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. A flag flies atop the observation deck on the left tower. A corner of Stevens Hall is present at the left of the image. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
31. Thompson Hall, ca. 1905 A photograph looking at the traditional May fete on the lawn in front of the west facade of Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. Female students dressed in white, dance around poles. Early automobiles and horse carriages are present in the foreground; students sit on the lawn. Thompson Hall, originally the Administration Building, is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
32. Thompson Hall, ca. 1910 A view looking east towards Thompson Hall, Washington State University's first Administration building. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim.
33. Thompson Hall, ca. 1930 A photograph looking at the west facade of Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. Thompson Hall, originally the Administration Building, is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
34. Thompson Hall, construction, 1890 A photograph looking east during the construction of Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. The roof is incomplete, as are the windows. Dirt and construction debris are visible. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
35. Thompson Hall, construction, 1894 A photograph looking west during the construction of Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. The roof is incomplete, as are the windows. A wooden bridge leads to the upper floor. Dirt and construction debris are visible. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
36. Thompson Hall, interior: early Library, ca. 1900 An interior view of the campus library located inside Thompson Hall, Washington State University's first Administration building. Solid wood bookshelves line the walls. In the center of the room is a circular wooden rail behind which is placed a desk. Electric light fixtures hang from the ceilings; wooden floors are present in the foreground. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
37. Thompson Hall Rear Entrance, Washington State University, Pullman, 2003
38. Thompson Hall Tower, Washington State University, Pullman, 2003
39. Washington State College (ca. 1898)
40. W.S.C. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1908)
41. W.S.C. Campus [Thompson Hall] (1921)
42. WSU campus, 1895
43. Thompson Hall Front Window, Washington State University, Pullman, 2003
44. Thompson Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, 2003
Contents of this path:
1. Original Construction for Thompson Hall
2. Ad. Bldg. [Thompson Hall] (1949)
3. Administration Bldg. [Thompson Hall] (1909)
4. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] 1900 - 1920
5. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1908)
6. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1906)
7. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1908)
8. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] (1915)
9. Administration Building [Thompson Hall]
10. Administration Building [Thompson Hall] 1915 - 1917
11. Bryan Hall and Thompson Hall, ca. 1926-1937
12. Entrance Arch and Thompson Hall 1909 - 1913
13. Excavation at Thompson Hall by Lisa and Darby
14. Images of WSC on cloth. 1901-1902 47 x 47 cm. (rotated diagonally in this image) set of 23 cyanotype photographs on cloth, some only partial images. This was owned by Catherine Friel, who says it came to her from her uncle and aunt, Will and Sarah Wallis. She identifies these as having been printed on Pongee silk and then used as a cushion before being taken apart and framed. Images 2-1 and 6-3 seem to both be historical images taken in about 1895. However, the football game in 2-2 took place on Nov. 9, 1901, and every other datable image takes place in an interval included 1901-1902, so we're assuming this cushion to date to late 1901 or 1902. Image contents, identified by row and a left-to-right numbering: 1-1: New Ferry Hall & corner of Thompson Hall (same pic as 4-5); 2-1: Thompson Hall and old College Hall; 2-2: WSC/Oregon football, Rogers Field; 2-3: Unidentified room interior; 3-1: Unidentified football player; 3-2: New Ferry Hall & Murrow Hall; 3-3: Thompson Hall & old College Hall; 3-4: College Hill; 3-5: Edge of old College Hall, with Stevens beyond it; 4-1: Unidentified building (possibly a side view of Stevens Hall?); 4-2: Stevens Hall interior; 4-3: Thompson Hall; 4-4: Silver Lake; 4-5: College Hill; 5-1: Thompson Hall; 5-2: Stevens Hall interior; 5-3: College Farmhouse; 5-4: Unidentified room interior; 6-1: College Hill (old College, Stevens, and the TUB?); 6-2: The TUB; 6-3: Thompson Hall and old College Hall (same pic as 2-1); 7-1: Unidentified room interior; 7-2: Unidentified room interior.
15. Lawn below Thompson Hall 1907 - 1918
16. Library, Administration Building (Thompson Hall), 1900s Prior to the 1909 construction of the campus's first designated library building (Bryan Hall, which was both library and auditorium), the Washington State College (later Washington State University)'s library was located in the top level of the Administration building, today known as Thompson Hall. When the Administration Building was built in 1894, the library moved into second floor quarters. In 1899, when the Science Building (later Murrow Hall) was built, the campus museum moved out of the upper floor of the Administration Building and into Science, and the library moved to that fourth floor location (seen here).
17. Lisa and Darby drawing profile at Thompson Hall
20. Proposed Administration Building (Thompson Hall), March 1892
21. Skiing on campus 1922
22. Stone Arch, 1918
23. The Arch, 1916
24. Thompson Hall 1905
25. Thompson Hall, 1897 A photograph looking at the west facade of the recently completed Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. A dirt path leads to the front entrance; no landscaping is present. A corner of Stevens Hall is present at the left of the image. Thompson Hall is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
26. Thompson Hall (1907)
27. Thompson Hall (1916)
28. Thompson Hall, 1936 A photograph looking up College hill at the west facade of Thompson Hall, WSU Building #1. A corner of White Hall is present at the left of the image; the unfinished clock tower of Bryan Hall is just visible. Defoliated trees line the walk to Thompson. Thompson Hall, formerly the Administration building, is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895 at a cost of $50,000.
29. Thompson Hall, 1950
30. Thompson Hall, 1954
31. Thompson Hall, 1960 A view looking west at the east facade of Thompson Hall, WSU building #1. Two cars and a covered truck are parked on the street. Thompson Hall, the original administration building, is the oldest extant building on campus, designed by noted Seattle architect, James Stephen and his Chicago trained partner, Timotheus Josenhans. It is prominently sited and immediately identifiable by its two large towers, one truncated and one with conical roof. The romantic Victorian Romanesque character of the building is further enhanced by rich variety of windows and entryways and the use of rock-faced granite (quarried near Spokane) for its contrasting trim. It formally opened January 1, 1895.
32. Thompson Hall 1923 - 1932
33. Remodel/Additional Construction of Thompson Hall 1968
34. Remodel/Additional Construction of Thompson Hall 1998-2000

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Thompson Hall The architecturally distinguished Thompson Hall was originally the administration building for Washington State University. The building was completed in 1895, which was only three years after the college was established. Thompson Hall is the oldest surviving building on campus. It is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks on the WSU campus.

Architect: Stephen and Josenhans

Dates of Construction: 1893–1895

Cost: $50,000

Use/Function: Administration building (until 1968); offices for the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and classrooms and offices for the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures

Departments: College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures

Significance: The oldest surviving building on campus.