Fairbanks Hall / Fairbanks Hall Dome Restoration
Fairbanks Hall
Originally the Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library
On February 2, 1903, prominent Terre Haute businessman and philanthropist Crawford Fairbanks, made an offer to build and furnish a new library building to be named in honor of his mother Emeline Fairbanks.
On May 5, 1903, the City of Terre Haute purchased the site at Seventh and Eagle Streets, and architects William H. Floyd, and Charles E. Scott were hired to design the new building.
On March 15, 1904, ground was broken for the construction of the library as the Modern Construction Company began work on the project.
The laying of the cornerstone, (which contained a list of officials, photos of the Fairbanks family, the day’s events program, a 1904 City Directory, and several newspapers), took place on August 10, 1904 followed by a downtown parade, music, prayer, and orations at the site.
On April 29, 1906, an informal opening and dedication occurred, and following a legal dispute about ownership, on August 11, 1906 the formal opening to the public took place.
In 1978, the library officially became part of the Indiana State Teachers College campus. Six years later on January 22, 1984, a formal reception was held by Indiana State University for the newly renovated and renamed Fairbanks Hall.
Fairfanks Hall Dome
this page online
In January, 2003 a project to restore the 28 foot diameter stained glass dome was completed. The dome restoration project included restoration of the eclectic portrait collection of 16 men and women:
Authors (8), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow • Lew Wallace • William Shakespeare • James Whitcomb Riley • Washington Irving • Victor Hugo • Mark Twain, and • Harriett Beecher Stowe
Presidents and Polititions (5), Ulysses S. Grant • Abraham Lincoln • Thomas Jefferson • Daniel Voorhees, Indiana’s second longest serving senator (second only to Senator Richard Lugar), • and Richard W. Thompson. (State Senator and one term congressman)
Artists (1), Rosa Boneheur
Inventor (1), Thomas A. Edison
Composer (1), Ludwig van Beethoven
Erected by Indiana State University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is January 22, 1984.
Location. 39° 28.157′ N, 87° 24.429′ W. Marker is in Terre Haute, Indiana, in Vigo County. Marker is at the intersection of North 7th Street and Eagle Street, on the right when traveling south on North 7th Street. The marker is on the campus of Indiana State University
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown / Baseball Career Highlights (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chauncey Rose (about 500 feet away); Crossroads of America (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Eugene V. Debs (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Crossroads of America (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eddie Taylor (approx. 0.2 miles away); Peter J. McGuire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Patrick J. Quinlan (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terre Haute.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 26, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 6. submitted on June 29, 2021. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
