From the Archives revealed: Purdue's campus in 1876

Photo from Purdue Libraries Archives and Special Collections Download image

This early view of Purdue was captured in 1876, only two years after Purdue first offered classes.

The buildings are, from left to right:

* Ladies Hall, which served as a residence for faculty members and their families before becoming the home of art classes and residence for female students.

* Building Number 2, later known as the Pharmacy Building, which was the first classroom building on campus.

* The Gas and Boiler House, which kept campus running.

* A barn.

* Men’s Dormitory, which was later turned into a classroom building known as Purdue Hall.

* Military Hall and Gymnasium.

Just visible in the middle of the picture is the construction site that would become University Hall, which opened the following year. University Hall became the oldest building still standing on campus when Purdue Hall was demolished in 1960.

More from the "From the Archives" photo series from Purdue Today and Purdue Libraries Archives and Special Collections can be found on the Purdue Libraries blog.