hall oldest building campus salem oregon united_states built story red brick structure added national_register_of_historic_places building twice fires interior rebuilt time went renovations built renaissance style architecture currently administration offices oldest university building west mississippi use located north end campus opposite oregon state capitol building state street designed shape greek cross measurements history background variety factors including deterioration main campus building dating need additional space university considered building new building designed specifically university beginning 1850s october board trustees school resolved begin process building new primary hall university reverend placed charge efforts raise funds needed building unsuccessful november board passed resolution calling new structure forming committee prepare plans december trustees authorized paid goal board met learned pledged board set building committee mainly efforts reverend hall built designs considered new building february vote board selected final plan called brick building stone foundation foundation rise level feet ground prevent moisture ground bricks construction construction new building began february excavation basement north section campus downtown salem july cornerstone building laid place ceremony president laid cornerstone hall ceremony included time capsule speech governor bricks construction fired campus clay excavated construction site order build foundation builders ordered bricks total construction project construction completed building named school marched old school building new began october total costs building occupation need approximately additional finish building building classrooms library rooms physical education attic early years structure housed chapel services school temporary accommodations students later years old school building burned december leaving building campus result departments housed building including moved hall moved portland remained permanent campus building building burned medical building art building built school buildings hall located campus september school brick building caught fire result fire floors building roof destroyed building built fire unlike original plans constructed style roof additionally square tower built lieu original included school bell construction academic hall hosted classes housing school chapel offices faculty renamed building honor reverend instrumental getting hall built december fire swept school break christmas second fire completely story building exterior walls remained intact roof square tower destroyed fire university rebuilt hall following year original plans included round omitted style roof square tower topping structure architect oversaw rebuilding design hall campaign launched university set raise reconstruction plus completing new hall adding central heating plant discussion hall 1980s structure dilapidated proposal called building replica site original school administrators opted hall november november square foot building went million renovation renovation addressed interior issues building including seismic upgrades event large magnitude earthquake renovations turned attic office suite school president renovations building university administration offices renovations completed cost million upgrading year old windows newer energy efficient models repairing brick fixing leaks installing painting slightly exterior red brick coloring architecture built renaissance style architecture red brick building designed proportions greek cross responsible proposing use cross shape building wings feet long feet wide west east north ends building originally building feet tall measured base building dome distance structure base feet basement building feet high floor feet high foundation stone roof composition second floors feet tall hall topping structure details include brick exterior circular interior currently houses alumni relations school business office human resources university office communications university relations president office administrative functions additionally building second floor seats cone chapel features dozen stained glass windows classic pipe organ chapel occasionally commencement ceremonies lectures concerts school sits north central campus directly opposite oregon state capitol structure oldest university building west mississippi_river use united_states university issued postal card featured image featuring painting eugene oregon cent historic preservation series timeline
Waller Hall