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Quang Huynh
Kristin Stoner
Assignment #4
English 150
March 19, 2012
Cyclones’ Nation Central Campus
Iowa State’s central campus was one of three central campuses selected among 300 of the most
ravishing sites in the nation, called a “medallion” site. These sites were called “medallion” because they
represent the heart and soul, as well as the significant landscape architecture, of the surrounding area. The
ISU central campus’s design uses trees and shrubbery to surround central buildings such as the
Campanile, Beardshear Hall, and Curtiss Hall (Zanish-Belcher). This design frames a companionable
environment where students can relax, study, and socialize. One of the most significant and historical
buildings is Beardshear Hall. It has been viewed as the heart and soul of the Cyclones since 1862.
“I do not know where in the world you would find a more industrious, painstaking and
hardworking lot of people than the faculty and students of the Iowa State College.” President W.M.
Beardshear mentions this in a report of an emergency meeting to the Board of Trustees on the morning of
December 11th, 1900 (Beardshear Item 7). The ISU students had been through many disasters. The first
disaster happened in the early 1900s, ISU had to deal with a fever that spread among students, later
discovered as histamine H2 receptor antagonist
(Beardshear Item 6). H2 receptor is a fever that tends to
activate acid production (“Antihistamines”). More than
half of students had gone home because of the sickness.
Later that year, another disaster struck. The university had
to deal with a fire that took out the north wing of the old
Main building (see fig. 1). It took two fire companies from Figure 1: Old Main Building, 1876 (Lesher)
both Ames and Boone to tame the flames. It was remarkable how they could save some portions of the
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building (Beardshear Item 7). The fire might have destroyed the building, but it couldn’t destroy the spirit
of students and faculty of Iowa State University. It also brought the citizens of Ames close to the students.
The surrounding neighborhood in Ames opened their homes, and provided students food during the crisis
(Beardshear Item 7). “The fire brought out the excellent provisions and plenteousness of our water
supply, the sterling qualities of as good a lot of students and faculty as you will find any where on earth”
(qtd. in Beardshear Item 7).
Since providing a safe environment for students to live and study was an absolute necessity,
President Beardshear called an emergency meeting with the Board of Trustees three days after the fire on
December 11th, 1900. He recommended hiring an
expert to examine the remaining part of the old
Main building to ensure the safety of students and
faculty (Beardshear Item 7). After the fire, the
university was forced stop everything, because
most of important classes, such as Mathematics,
Figure 2: Beardshear Hall, exterior construction, 1906 (Grund)
English, and History that were requisite for many majors, were held in the building (Beardshear Item 7).
It was one of the few all-purpose buildings on campus. The building also contained a lot of important
information, such as students’ files. In 1902, ISU students and faculty members faced two tragedies: the
death of President Beardshear, and a second fire that destroyed the remains of the old Main building
(“Iowa State University Time…”). Since then, the
idea of a new Main building had been in thoughts of
many students and faculty. In 1906, the university
had Proudfoot and Bird Architects begin the
construction of the new building. Due to safety
concerns of students and faculty members,
Figure 3: Beardshear Hall, interior construction, 1906 (Grund)
fireproofing was a high priority (Lesher). Fireproof buff Bedford stones were used to build the exterior, as
well as massive scagliola columns for the interior of the building (see fig. 2 & 3). These columns looked
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so much like marble that they deceived many experts. The building was so fireproof that the only
flammable thing was the hardwood furniture (“Beardshear Hall”). To reduce the risk of fire, there was
also no mechanical cooling installed. It used natural ventilation through operable windows. Each room
would have a separate diffuser and a chase that lead to the attic. If the temperature of a room was hotter
than the outside temperature, the operable windows would lead the outside air to a central large paddle
wheel fan that pressures cold deck plenum to deliver air to the room. The hot air would be relieved
through gravity louvers by ventilating air to a chase that would lead to the attic. Because of using natural
ventilation for cooling and heating, the building used a lot less energy (Lesher).
The new building was named Central Building (Lesher). It was built over the old Main building.
The location of Central Building, the Campanile, Farm House, and MacKay Hall, was the centerpiece of
the 20-acre central lawn, creating a very companionable space
that students and faculty go to to relax, study, and socialize while
enjoying the great weather outside (Zanish-Belcher). The central
lawn was also used to hold many events, such as Engineering
Week, Martial Arts Demonstration, marching bands, and other
students’ activities (see fig. 4). Parents and guests often used
Figure 4: Cyclones' Nation Central Campus
(Sanogo)
these buildings as a compass to get their bearings. Later, in 1925, it was renamed Beardshear Hall to
honor President Beardshear, 1891-1902, for what he contributed to the construction of the building
(“Iowa State University Time…”).
Despite the tragedy of the fire, students and faculty members still came together to rebuild the
main building of the university. Both Beardshear Hall and the old Main building held almost the entire
college, such as classrooms, dinning centers, the library, chapel, and museums; it also was the residence
hall until the 1970s (Lesher). After the 1970s, Beardshear Hall restricted space to administrative offices,
such as the Office of the President and Office of Student Financial Aid (Lesher). Even though the
building has been through many disasters, it still stands strong and ready to provide services to students. It
was made a priority to not only provide a safe environment and modern improvements, but also to secure
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the good health and lives of the students. Benjamin Franklin, ‘a harmonious human multitude’, has the
most applicable saying for the university: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest”
(qtd. in Beardshear Item 7). The building not only contains services and important files of administrative
offices, but also the histories, memories, love, and the spirits of students and faculty. It is significant not
just because of its architecture; it also represents the blood and sweat of many students, faculty members,
and citizens of Ames in the past that tried to save the building, even after being burned twice. Without
them, the university would not have an administrative building; therefore it wouldn’t have any students or
faculty. Beardshear Hall symbolizes the heart; students and faculty are the souls of Iowa State University.
Beardshear Hall, 2012 (Lesher)
Works Cited
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“Antihistamines.” Alpha Online, clean air, nutrition for the 21st century, solutions for medical problems.
The Allergy Center, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2012.
“Beardshear Hall.” ISU Facilities Planning & Management. Iowa State University, 2012. Web. 18 Mar.
2012.
Beardshear, William M. “Called Session of the Board of Trustees, Iowa State College of Agriculture and
Mechanic Arts.” 11 Dec. 1900. MS. Box 2/4, RS 2/5, Item 7. Papers of William Miller
Beardshear, 1884-1980. Special Collections Department, Parks Library, Iowa State University,
Ames.
Beardshear, William M. “The Fever Epidemic.” Nov. 1900. MS. Box 2/4, RS 2/5, Item 6. Papers of
William Miller Beardshear, 1884-1980. Special Collections Department, Parks Library, Iowa
State University, Ames.
Grund, Marty. Beardshear Hall, exterior construction. 1906. Beardshear Hall Restoration, Ames. Iowa
State University: Art on Campus. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
Grund, Marty. Beardshear Hall, interior construction. 1906. Beardshear Hall Restoration, Ames. Iowa
State University: Art on Campus. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
"Iowa State University Time Line, 1875-1899." ISU Public Homepage Server. University Archives, Iowa
State University Library, 2006. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
Lesher, Roger. Beardshear Hall. 2012. N.d. ASHRAE Iowa Chapter, Ames. History Report 2010-2011.
Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
Lesher, Roger. History Report 2010-2011: Beardshear Hall. Ames: ASHRAE Iowa Chapter, 2011. Web.
18 Mar. 2012.
Lesher, Roger. Old Main building. 1876. ASHRAE Iowa Chapter, Ames. History Report 2010-2011.
Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
Sanogo, Abraham. Central Campus, in the spring. 2011. Central Campus, Ames. Iowa State University:
Photostream. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
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Zanish-Belcher, Tanya. “Iowa State University Campus and Buildings.” ISU Public Homepage Server.
University Archives, Iowa State University Library, 2006. Web. 18 Mar. 2012.