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In Memoriam
The Memorial Tower, also called "the Campanile" or "the
bell tower," was one of the first structures completed on the LSU
campus. Dedicated in 1926, it was built as a memorial to the 1,447 Louisianians
who died in World War 1 and whose names are inscribed in the four bronze
plaques within the rotunda. Theodore C. Link, the campus's original architect,
designed the 175-foot tall campanile tower. The tower was paid for by
public subscriptions led by the American Legion Post No. 58 and an appropriation
by the legislature (totaling $226,625). It remained the property of the
American Legion until the late 1940s. University employees and Highland
Road passers-by can hear its chimes every quarter hour throughout the
day and evening. A superstition turned tradition says to become an official
"LSU student," one must be kissed under the Memorial Tower when
the chimes ring at midnight. Those wishing to carry out the tradition
today find that the chimes no longer ring after 10 p.m.
Last updated January 2002
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