Filed Under Missoula

University Hall

The University of Montana Historic District

By The Montana National Register Sign Program
Main Hall
Main Hall University of Montana's Main Hall from center of oval. Old gym, Mount Jumbo, and Mount Sentinel in background. Missoula, Montana. Facing west towards Hellgate Canyon. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Morton J. Elrod Date: ca. 1905

Fronting the Oval at the heart of the campus, the university’s oldest standing building, also known as Main Hall, proudly represents the birth of this noble institution. Celebrated Missoula architect A. J. Gibson designed the Richardsonian Romanesque style building that, along with its now-demolished companion Science Hall, comprised the campus at the school’s opening in 1899. During the university’s dedication ceremony in 1898, corn, oil, and water symbolizing plenty, joy, and peace were poured over the building’s cornerstone. Today the hourly chiming of the bells in the majestic bell tower serves as constant reminder of the enduring solidity of the university.

Images

Main Hall
Main Hall University of Montana's Main Hall from center of oval. Old gym, Mount Jumbo, and Mount Sentinel in background. Missoula, Montana. Facing west towards Hellgate Canyon. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Morton J. Elrod Date: ca. 1905
Main Hall
Main Hall Main Hall, University of Montana, the tower is framed by the foliage of two trees. Front view of the building, facing southeast near the Oval. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Rollin H. McKay Date: 1930
Main Hall
Main Hall Main Hall, University of Montana, Missoula, is partially hidden by the foliage of a tree. Front view of the building, facing southeast near the Oval. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Rollin H. McKay Date: 1930
Main Hall and the Bike Shed
Main Hall and the Bike Shed Main Hall on the University of Montana campus, bike shed is also in the picture. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Morton J. Elrod Date: ca. 1910
Main Hall
Main Hall Main Hall (University Hall) looking northeast, in winter. A horse and buggy are visible in the lower left of the image. Mt. Jumbo in the background. University of Montana campus, Missoula. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Morton J. Elrod Date: ca. 1903
Main Hall on the UM Campus
Main Hall on the UM Campus Main Hall with cars parked on the road around the Oval, on the University of Montana campus, Missoua. Front view of the building, facing northeast towards Hellgate Canyon. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Stan Healy Date: Unknown
Main Hall
Main Hall Main Hall (University Hall) on the University of Montana campus. Missoula. Mount Sentinel is in the background. Front view of the building, facing east. Source: Montana History Portal Creator: Morton J. Elrod Date: 1903
University Hall
University Hall Photo of building exterior. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Tom Ferris, photographer Date: 17 September, 2021

Location

32 Campus Drive, Missoula, Montana | Public

Metadata

Related Resources

  1. Read about the University of Montana Historic District
  2. See photos of the University of Montana Historic District

Citation Info

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “University Hall,” Historic Montana, accessed April 20, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/1600.

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