Hastings in Adams County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
McCormick Hall
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2025
1. McCormick Hall Marker
McCormick Hall opened in 1884. It is named for Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the mechanical reaper, who donated $5,000 to help finance construction of the building. The first building on the Hastings College campus, it was the intellectual, social, religious, and academic heart of campus. McCormick first housed dormitories, classrooms, offices, and a small chapel until most of these functions relocated to newer buildings. In 1976 a devastating fire closed the building. Following its renovation, McCormick Hall was reopened in 1982.
Erected 2020 by Hastings College and History Nebraska. (Marker Number 575.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Nebraska State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 40° 35.525′ N, 98° 22.432′ W. Marker is in Hastings, Nebraska, in Adams County. It can be reached from Turner Avenue just north of University Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Smoky Hills and in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hastings College Campus Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1883 American Elm (about 300 feet away); The Art Center (about 600 feet away); Heartwell Park Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Liberal Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Stitt Building (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Victory Building (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2025
2. McCormick Hall Marker
Looking northeast; the southwest corner of McCormick Hall is in the background.
Regarding McCormick Hall. National Register of Historic Places № 75001086. Also a contributing property in Hastings College Historic District, NRHP № 100001393.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Janet Jeffries, 1/30/1975:
McCormick Hall is a two story, basically Italianate brick structure with a three-story entrance tower topped with a pyramidal roof. The tower has dormers on each face for ventilation. The whole building is surmounted with a bracketed cornice. The windows are segmentally arched on the first floor and jack-arched on the second with brick string courses along the springing lines of the arches at each floor level. The main entrance has an elaborate pressed metal hood and a large sign at the top of the tower identifying the building.
Erected in 1883-1884 as the first building on campus at a cost of $14,703.81, it maintains its original structural and architectural integrity.
From 1884 to the mid 1950s, McCormick Hall was the principal classroom building with the departments of English, mathematics, speech, drama and chemistry inhabiting the structure. A large room on secondfloor, which originally housed the college chapel, was later converted into a little theatre.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 20253. McCormick Hall (south elevation)
Also see . . . McCormick Hall (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: McCormick Hall is a historic building on the campus of Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, United States. It was built in 18831884 and designed in the Italianate architectural style. It was the first building on campus, and it housed the departments of English, Journalism, Speech, Drama, Mathematics and Chemistry. There was also a Presbyterian chapel on the second floor, later a theatre. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 12, 1975.(Submitted on November 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2025
4. McCormick Hall (west/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
