Architectural Landmarks and Monuments: Under Oaks & Arches
Alex Box Stadium—Built in 1937-38 under the Works Progress Administration, and named in 1943 for Alex Box, an LSU athlete and graduate. Box was killed in North Africa, March 1943,and was awarded the DSC for singlehandedly eliminating six German machine guns and one howitzer. The Alex Box Stadium experience is a unique one, created by the greatest and most loyal fans in all of college baseball, combined with an enduring legacy of championships. In February 2009, the LSU Baseball program moved into a new home, 200 yards to the south into a start-of-the-art facility. In the New Alex Box Stadium, the Tiger Baseball Team enjoys 6,000 additional square-feet of locker and meeting room space and seats 9,200 fans.
David Boyd Hall—Named for David Boyd, considered one of LSU's founding fathers and the first superintendent of the newly named Louisiana State University, this hall is the architectural twin of Thomas Boyd Hall. Thomas Boyd and David Boyd Halls flank Memorial Tower. Today, David Boyd hall houses the Graduate School and the Office of Research and Economic Development.
Thomas Boyd Hall—Was completed in 1924 and named for Thomas Duckett Boyd, brother of David Boyd, who came to LSU as a cadet in 1868 and was associated with the University as professor, commandant of cadets, and president until 1926. Under his administration, LSU's first women students were admitted. Currently, Thomas Boyd hall houses the Chancellor's office, Undergraduate Admissions, Records and Registration, and the Treasurer's office.
Cannons—The two cannons in front of the Military Science Building were allegedly used to fire on Fort Sumter at the outbreak of the Civil War. After the war, General Sherman presented them to David Boyd.
Coates Hall—Named for Charles E. Coates, professor of chemistry, dean of the Audubon Sugar School, dean of the College of Pure and Applied Science (now Basic Sciences), chairman of the Graduate Division, and coach of the first football team. The hall was built in 1924. Presently, the department of Computer Science, Religious Studies, and Speech Communications as well as the School of Library and Information Sciences are housed here.
Enchanted Forest—Also known as the Sunken Garden, the Enchanted Forest is located behind LSU's Greek Amphitheater. The garden and reflecting pool were designed by Dean Francis James Broussard and contained numerous statues. Dean Broussard also donated a statue of Hernado DeSoto that was placed in the Forest. ROTC cadets would dump their officers in the pool after the last parade of the year. The reflecting pool was filled in and the surrounding gardens have been allowed to grow wild.
Evangeline Hall—A women's residence hall named for the heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic poem; building completed in 1938. In the fall of 2009, Evangeline Hall became the home of the Basic Sciences Residential College (BASRC). BASRC is a scholarly communityfor first-year students pursuing a degree offered within the College of Basic Sciences, including; biochemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, chemistry, computer science, geology, or physics. Evangeline Hall features a large lobby area on the first floor and a game room in the basements, both of which are great for programming, social activities, or study groups. The second floor library offers residents a quiet are for studying. With its moderate size, Evangeline Hall is able to offer students opportunities to interact in a hall they can truly call "home."
Free Speech Alley—Initiated by students during the 1960s, Free Speech Alley provided a debate forum for students to express their views on topics ranging from the Vietnam War efforts to women's issues and race-related discussions. Free Speech Alleywas originally located near the (previous McDonald's) site in the LSU Union. It later moved to the front steps of the Union and is now recognized as the area blocked off between Tower Drive and the road encircling the Parade Ground. Then administrators would use Free Speech Alley as a place to communicate with the students. Today, Chancellor Michael Martin holds his "Chats with the Chancellor" so students can communicate ideas in areas around campus and the community.
French House—La Maison Francaise, or the French House, opened in 1935 as a language immersion center and residence hall for women studeying the French or Italian languages. It was restored in 1981 and is currently occupied by the LSU Honors College and Cafe Vieux Carre, a New Orleans style coffee and beignet shop.
Louise Garig Hall—Men's residence hall named for Louise Garig, one of the first 17 coeds admitted to the University and the second woman named to the faculty. As one of the smallest residence halls at LSU, Louise Garig Hall houses male residents. The building features large, traditional rooms, which provide upperclassmen with a homelike quality. Located in the horseshoe drive area and across the street from the LSU Union, it is conveniently close to many classroom buildings.
Greek Theatre—The Greek Theatre lies between the Music and Dramatic Arts Building and the Pentagon Barracks. No mere showpiece, the outdoor theatre was officially opened as a spot for outdoor functions in 1926 with the presentation of the play "Sherwood." It has since been the site of numerous plays, convocations, and official gatherings. The Theatre seats approximately 3,500 and was used for convocations, rallies, pageants, and commencement exercises. Today it is used for outdoor concerts, religious ceremonies and a quiet place to study or daydream.
Hill Farm—According to the 1946 legislative act, the Hill Farm was established "for the purpose of conducting experiments to determine and develop the most economically suitable agricultural, livestock, and tree crop practices for the North Louisiana Hill Farm Section." Originally 40 acres overlooking the University Lake, portions of the land were used to build sorority houses and fraternity houses, the Student Recreation Complex and the Alumni Center.
Himes Hall—A classroom building named for Robert L. Himes, a member of the faculty for 33 years. Himes cnducted the first normal school, forerunner of the present summer term, at LSU in the summer of 1897. Today, Himes Hall houses The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the General College, the Division for Instructional Support and Development, and the ID Card Office.
Indian Mounds—Among the best-known landmarks on campus are the two Indian mounds. It is believed the mounds are over 5,000 years old and date back to before the construction of the great Egyptian pyramids. In the 1980s, scientists from the LSU Museum of Natural Science, the Department of Agronomy, and the Department of Geography & Anthropology collected soil samples from the bases of the mounds and discovered they were part of a group of Archaic mound complexes located throughout the state. In 1999, the Indian Mounds at LSU were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Grace King Hall—First women's residence hall built on campus in 1937, and named for Grace King, Louisiana author and historian whose works were among the first to turn the attention of the literary world to Louisiana. Today, Grace King Hall houses the Department of Residential Life and the Division of Student Life.
Laville Hall (East & West)—Named for Corporal Germaine Laville, the first LSU woman graduate (1942) to die in World War II. She died while rescuing another woman marine from a burning classroom. Presently, East Laville is home to the Honors College. To live in Laville Hall, students must be enrolled in the Honors College.
Long Fieldhouse—Named for Huey P. Long, governor from 1928-32, U.S. Senator from 1930-35, and great supporter of LSU. Under his leadership, more than $9 million was spent in developing the physical plant, and enrollment and faculty more than doubled. The fieldhouse was the original student union—with a ballroom, soda fountain, post office, beauty parlor, barbershop, and swimming pool that was, at the time of its construction, the largest in the country.
Pete Maravich Assembly Center—LSU's basketball coliseum, also known as the PMAC, was renamed in 1988 shortly after the tragic passing of basketball star and LSU alumnus, Pete Maravich. Maravich played for the Tigers from 1966-1970. Also known as the "Deaf Dome," it can seat over 14,000 spectators. Pete Maravich currently holds the all-time career scoring record for the NCAA. This building is one of the most versatlie on campus, providing a sports arena, concert facilities, and an auditorium.
Memorial Tower—The Memorial Tower, also known as the Campanile, was built in 1923 and dedicated in 1926 as a memorial to Louisiana's fallen soldiers from World War I. The 175-foot structure has on its rotunda walls bronze plaques bearing the names of those to whom the Tower is dedicated. The Memorial Tower also houses the permanent collections of the LSU Museum of Art. Chimes ring every quarter hour. The Memorial Tower is LSU's most prominant landmark and it is the central feature of the campus. The Cornerstone in front of the tower was excavated from the ruins of the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academyin Pineville. One half describes the history, the other half is inscribed with the first Board of Supervisors and faculty members.
Bernie Moore Track Stadium—The Stadium was named in 1971 after the legendary Bernie Moore, who coached the LSU track team for 18 years (1930-47) and led the Tigers to the 1933 NCAA Championship as well as 12 SEC crowns.
Oak Trees, Magnolias, and Azaleas—During the 1930s, many of LSU's live oaks and magnolia trees were planted by landscape artist Steele Burden. In the 1970s, azaleas, crepe myrtles, ligustrum, and camelias were planted in the Quadrangle, and sidewalks were added. The live oak trees on LSU's campus have been valued at $50 million. Through the LSU Foundation's "Endow an Oak" program, individuals and groups are able to endow live oaks across campus. LSU's landscaping was called "a botanical joy" in its listing among the 20 best campuses in America in Thomas Gaines' The Campus as a Work of Art.
Pentagon Barracks—The first men's residence halls built on campus in 1925, they are named for their physical configuration and are located near the Indian Mounds. Four buildings bear the names of noted Louisianians: Jackson Hall, named for Andrew Jackson, U.S. commander in the Battle of New Orleans (War of 1812) and seventh president of the United States; Taylor Hall, for ZacharyTaylor, commander of U.S. troops in the Mexican War and 12th president of the United States; Beauregard Hall for P.G.T. Beauregard, Confederate Civil War general; and Lejeune Hall, for John Archer Lejeune, a World War I hero. Today, the Pentagon Barracks serve as dorm rooms for men and women. The Pentagon is made up of four three-story buildings and provides LSU students with a unique living area. The room clusters are accessible via stairwells rather than interior halls, providing a more private styled living environment. The Pentagon is convenient to the Quad and the Pentagon Dining Unit. The courtyard with picnic tables and barbeque grills provides an ideal space for social interaction.
Prescott Hall—Built in 1924 and named for Arthur T. Prescott, who first came to LSU as a student in the School for the Deaf building. Later he was commander of cadets, professor, head of the Government Department, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and LSU Alumni Federation leader. He once declined the LSU presidency Prescott Hall houses the Foreign Language Department.
Reilly Theatre—Wooden floors, exposed brick, and large old-fashioned doors recall the rustic origins of the Reilly Theatre. The old Livestock Viewing Pavilion on Tower Drive was built in 1926. In 1990s, it was saved from demolition through the contributions of campus and community leaders, including the Reilly family. The building formally became the "home" of Swine Palace Productions on February 11, 2000. It features state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems and it seats 500.
Sugar Kettle—Adjacent to the Chemical Engineering Building is an old iron kettle used by Etienne de Bore, on whose plantation the technique for granulating sugar was first discovered in Louisiana in 1975. Years later, the kettle was unearthed in an old barn on the de Bore Plantation. During the Civil War, the kettle was reputedly used in a distillery by General Grant's brother-in-law.
Tiger Stadium—Named for LSU's mascot, the stadium is sometimes called "Death Valley" by losing opponent football teams. East stadium was built in 1924; West in 1932; North in 1937; South in 1957; an addition was completed in 1978. With the addition of the east upper deck in 2002, the capacity grew to 91,600. Recent renovations to he stadium's west side resulted in an additional 3.200 club seats and a new press box.
The Quad—The Main Quadrangle, outlined by academic buildings connected by colonnaded passageways, is the heart of the LSU campus. The 18 buildings that ring the Quadrangle are in the 16th-century Italian Renaissance style—highly unusual at the time they were built, when most new campuses followed the Gothic style. The red pantile roof, honey-colored stucco, and graceful arches are the Main Quadrangle's defining elements.
Student Union—The idea of a college union at LSU was first proposed in the Reveille as early as 1939, but it was not until 1958 that a formal “Proposed Plan for a Student Union at LSU” was submitted to the Board of Supervisors for approval. That same year, a student referendum was conducted in which students voted to self-assess a fee to build a union. After three years of planning, the Board of Supervisors approved the site - the Memorial Oak Grove in the center of the campus, authorized the building of the facility, approved a $10 student fee, and commissioned the architects. The first director, Carl Maddox, was appointed in 1959, and the first Governing Board of students, faculty and alumni was chosen in 1962-63. Construction began in 1962, and the official ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new building was on January 6, 1964.
During the decades that have followed, hundreds of thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests have visited the Union, to attend programs and meetings, to shop in the bookstore, have a meal or a cup of coffee with friends, browse in the Art Gallery, check their mail, and use a myriad of other services available to them. The facility has undergone a number of changes over the years. An addition was built in 1987 on the southwest corner of the building, which added new retail space, meeting rooms, and creating the galleria area. A browsing-listening area with a reading room and four small rooms for music listening was replaced in 1987 by an addition to the Bookstore. The original cafeteria and snack bar area was converted into a modern day food court in 1997. Currently, the Union is undergoing its first major renovation project since its opening. The Union renovation includes the addition of 50,000 square feet to the building including a new entrance, office space, tiered seating, a multi-purpose lounge, meeting rooms, and outdoor plazas.
Programs and activities in the Union have also changed and evolved over time, reflective of the changing interests and lifestyles of each new generation of students. Throughout, the Union has continued to serve as a center for campus life, creating a sense of community that fosters enduring loyalty to the University.
