Iowa City in Johnson County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Schaeffer Hall
University of Iowa Sesquicentennial
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
1. Schaeffer Hall Marker
Opened in 1902, the Hall of Liberal Arts was later renamed Schaeffer Hall for Charles A. Schaeffer, the University of Iowa president who turned the first spadeful of earth for the new building shortly before his death in 1898. The first of the four buildings erected to anchor Old Capitol, Schaeffer Hall was designed to echo the grand architectural style of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Erected by University of Iowa Alumni Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is January 23, 1902.
Location. 41° 39.646′ N, 91° 32.127′ W. Marker is in Iowa City, Iowa, in Johnson County. Marker can be reached from East Washington Street just west of South Clinton Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the sidewalk on the east side of Schaeffer Hall, on the right side of the front staircase. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 East Washington Street, Iowa City IA 52240, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Old Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Stone Capitol
this page online
Regarding Schaeffer Hall. Contributing property, Pentacrest, National Register of Historic Places #78001230.
Also see . . .
1. Schaeffer Hall.
Schaeffer Hall on The University of Iowa campus was more than another beautiful new campus building when it was completed in 1902. It was the first building of a newly conceived campus. Beginning in 1898 the University decided to do nothing less than completely reconstruct the central campus (what we call the Pentacrest today), along more modern lines. The new campus was planned to be a composition of classically styled, symmetrically placed buildings with the(Submitted on March 24, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Old Capitol as the centerpiece. The central campus of The University of Iowa was originally the site of the third Capitol of the Territory of Iowa, and the first Capitol of the State of Iowa.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 20212. Schaeffer Hall Marker
2. Schaeffer Hall.
Despite Schaeffer’s untimely death, a construction fire, and conflicts between the architects and contractors, the doors to Schaeffer Hall opened on January 23, 1902, providing a permanent and modern home for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), which was then known as the Collegiate Department. The College has called Schaeffer Hall home ever since, and the building underwent a complete renovation in 1999.(Submitted on March 24, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Pentacrest.
The Pentacrest is the Old Capitol and a collection of four buildings on the campus of the University of Iowa that surround the Old Capitol — Jessup Hall, Macbride Hall, MacLean Hall, and Schaeffer Hall — on a four-block-sized parcel of land in Iowa City, Iowa. The Old Capital exhibits the Greek Revival style while the four buildings that surround it display Beaux-Arts architecture.(Submitted on March 24, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
4. Charles Ashmead Schaeffer
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
3. Schaeffer Hall (front/east portico)
In his June 22, 1887, inaugural address, “The Development of the University,” Schaeffer called for a larger library, more classrooms, and, above all, a commitment of financial support from Iowans. The result was a continuing tax to support the University so that the school would no longer depend solely on biennial appropriations. The Pentacrest building that bears his name opened in 1902, five years after Schaeffer turned the first sod on the site. It was initially known as the Hall of Liberal Arts; it was renamed in Schaeffer’s honor in 1934.(Submitted on March 24, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
4. Schaeffer Hall Plaque
Schaeffer Hall
named in honor of
Charles Ashmead
Schaeffer
President of
The University
of Iowa — 1887-1898
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
5. Schaeffer Hall (front/east elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 24, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
