Its bell tower peeks over the Manhattan skyline and rings out the time on the hour. Anderson Hall has greeted generations of Wildcats and visitors alike and been the backdrop to thousands of photographs over the decades. Its history tells the story of the Kansas State Agricultural College and the changes that have made it the university it is today.
A quick timeline:
– March 27, 1878: Excavation begins on north wing of Kansas State Agriculture College main building. Design was by E.T. Carr. William Ulrich, 1877 KSAC graduate, who cut the stone.
– March 1879: Building is complete at two stories high. The north wing contained English, drawing, mathematics and practical agriculture classrooms, as well as the Office of the President, cloakrooms and the college library until 1894. It was originally known as the Practical Agriculture building.
“The new building is very convenient for the purpose for which is was erected, and is a handsome structure of which, as a State, we may be proud,” said The Industrialist (the college newspaper at the time) on May 24, 1879.
– 1880: The central portion of the building containing the tower is appropriated by request through the Board of Regents.
– 1884: South wing is completed and porches on the east were built. At the time, it was the first building on campus with steam heat.
– 1902: Anderson Hall was formally named in honor of KSAC President John A. Anderson, who served from 1873-79.
– 1908: The chapel, originally designed by then-professor of architecture John Walters, is divided to make a second floor for architecture rooms.
– 1919: A canteen and barber shop were installed in the basement and served faculty until 1924.
– 1920: A recreation center was created in the chapel area.
– 1945: Offices were constructed, with help from German prisoners of war, on the east side the porches used to occupy.
– 1965: An electronically operated 98-bell carillon installed in the tower as a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Ralf Hockens of Arrington, Kansas.
– 1989: The central tower is repaired
– Aug. 20, 1993: A lightning strike to the south tower results in $1.25 million in fire and water damage.
– 2013: Repairs were made to the roof and new copper edging was added.
Currently there are 35 offices listed as housed in Anderson Hall, including the Vice President for Student Life, Women of K-State, Admissions and Enrollment Services.
