Photograph of the University Building on Butler Universitys College Avenue campus

Description: This photograph shows the main and only building on Butler Universitys first campus. At the time of construction, the University went by its original name, North Western Christian University, which it used from 1855 until 1877. Located near the current intersection of 13th Street and College Avenue in Indianapolis, the building was designed by architect William Tinsley. Referred to as the University Building in North Western Christian University catalogs, it was designed in the Collegiate Gothic or Gothic Revival architectural style. Construction on the building began in 1854 and it was completed in 1855, with the first day of classes beginning on November 1, 1855. The University Building was an L-shaped, three story building built of brick with stone details around the windows and between each story. Inside, the central staircases were made of black walnut and there was room for a chapel, offices, four recitation rooms, and rooms for literary societies. Tinsleys original design was for a large central tower with wings on each side, but less than half of the original design was constructed. The University planned to expand the building as the school grew, but this never happened as the University moved to Irvington in 1875. Both the Indianapolis Orphans Asylum and the Physio-Medical College of Indiana occupied the building after the University moved, but after the latter organization closed in 1909, the building was demolished in 1910.
Source: http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/210
Collection: Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Copyright: No Copyright - United States
Geography: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.784381, -86.144685
39.784381
-86.144685
Subjects: Butler University--History
North Western Christian University (Indianapolis, Ind.)--History
Tinsley, William, 1804-1885
Gothic revival (Architecture)
Indianapolis (Ind.)--History--19th century
College buildings--19th century
College facilities--19th century
Indianapolis Orphans Asylum
University Building
College Avenue campus
Physio-Medical College of Indiana

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