Burns Park in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Law Quadrangle

1924-1933

Photographed by Joel Seewald, December 8, 2016

1. Law Quadrangle Marker

Inscription. University of Michigan alumnus William W. Cook (1880, 1882law) believed that the character of the legal profession depended on the character of Law Schools, and that the character of the Law Schools forecasted the future of America. In support of this he offered to donate the funds to build adequate facilities for the Law School. His gift enabled the construction of four buildings, the Lawyers Club (1924), the John P. Cook Building (1930), named for the donor's father, the William W. Cook Legal Research Library (1931), named for the donor, and Hutchins Hall (1933), named for former Law Dean and University President Harry B. Hutchins. At the time it was the largest gift from a single individual to a state college in Michigan. Designed by noted New York architects Edward Palmer York and Philip Sawyer, the buildings were constructed of Weymouth seam-face granite in the Gothic Revival style, based on English precedents. In recognition of this unique gift, the Regents in 1937 named the entire complex the William W. Cook Quadrangle. A 1981 underground addition to the Legal Research Library was designed by Gunnar Birkerts, and

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named for former Law School Dean, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and Interim President Allan Smith, and his wife Alene.

Erected 2006 by History and Traditions Committee, University of Michigan. (Marker Number 17.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 42° 16.486′ N, 83° 44.363′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Burns Park. It is at the intersection of South University Avenue and South State Street, on the right when traveling east on South University Avenue. Marker is in the archway of Munger Residences in the Lawyer's Club that leads to a large courtyard the Law Quadrangle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 551 South State Street, Ann Arbor MI 48109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest

Photographed by Joel Seewald, December 8, 2016

2. Law Quadrangle Marker

View through the arch looking toward the Law Research Library.

Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tappan Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alumni Memorial Hall (about 300 feet away); The President's House (about 300 feet away); The Michigan Union and the Peace Corps (about 300 feet away); Martha Cook Building (about 400 feet away); William L. Clements Library (about 400 feet away); Michigan Union (about 400 feet away); Spanish-American War Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.

Also see . . . Law Club. (Submitted on October 9, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Munger Residences in the Lawyers Club image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, December 8, 2016

3. Munger Residences in the Lawyers Club

View from South University Avenue.

Cook Legal Research Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, December 8, 2016

4. Cook Legal Research Library

View from the arch at the Lawyer's Club across the courtyard.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 586 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 9, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.