File:Science Hall and Medical Building at Valparaiso University, 1913 - Valparaiso, Indiana (4200901898).jpg

Science Hall and Medical Bldg., Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind.

Date: 1913 Source Type: Postcard Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Auburn Post Card Manufacturing Company Postmark: April 29, 1913, Cincinnati, Ohio Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: Science Hall, also referred to as Baldwin Hall, was constructed in 1900 at a cost of more than $65,000. The three story building had a footprint of 60-feet by 120-feet and was constructed with pressed brick and terra cotta. The building was sited upon ground where two identical dormitories once stood - East and West Sefton Halls.

The hall was renamed in honor of Samantha Elizabeth "Mantie" Baldwin in 1959, a professor at the university from 1873 to November 1914.

On June 8, 1939, the roof of Science Hall was torn away when a wind storm or possible tornado hit the southeast portion of Valparaiso. Due to rising costs to maintain, Science Hall was razed in 1996.

The Auditorium Building is partially visible to the far right in this image.

The following news item concerning the construction of the Auditorium Building appeared in the June 26, 1891, issue of The Tribune:

Valpo's New Normal College. Never in the history of any school has such marvelous growth and development been seen as of the Normal School of Valparaiso. Professors Brown and Kinsey, by their untiring efforts and indefatigable labors have won for themselves an undying reputation consequent on their establishment and management of the Normal. Their school has multiplied and re-multiplied until now they deem it necessary to enlarge upon their already spacious quarters by erecting a magnificent college building. The edifice is to be situated on the corner of College avenue and Locust street. Active progress is now being made in excavating and preparing the foundation. The building will be 120x60 feet. It will consist of two stories, the first being 14 feet high and the second 32 feet high. The material used in the construction will be pressed brick with stone trimmings. The first floor will consist of six recitation rooms, each with an average seating capacity of one hundred pupils. These rooms will be utilized for the study of mathematics and sciences. The second floor will be used as an auditorium, with a seating capacity of 2,000. It is said the Auditorium will be the largest in Indiana, barring the Hall at Indianapolis. All the modern mechanical appliances are to be inaugurated, electricity and gas will be utilized for lighting purposes. The system of ventilation is complete in every detail. The estimated cost of the building will be forty thousand dollars. the citizens of Valparaiso may well feel proud of this ornament to their now beautiful city.

Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana; June 26, 1891; Volume 8, Number 11, Page 1, Column 3. Column titled "From Our Neighbors. Newsy Notes From The County Round On The Movements of the People."