Beardshear Hall: Iowa State's Iconic Central Building
Beardshear Hall stands as the central and most historically significant building on Iowa State University's campus. Originally constructed in 1906 as a replacement for the original Old Main building (which burned in 1902), Beardshear housed classrooms, administrative offices, and residential spaces. Built in Classical Roman architectural style using fireproof scagliola stone, the building was renamed in 1938 to honor President William M. Beardshear, whose leadership drove its construction. This paper examines the building's historical importance, its central location on campus, and its role in shaping the university's physical and institutional development from the early 1900s onward.
- Introduction to Beardshear Hall: Central importance of Beardshear to campus
- Historical Background and the Original Old Main: Origins and destruction of Old Main building
- The Rebuilding and Construction of Beardshear: 1906 reconstruction with fireproof materials
- Purpose, Function, and Campus Evolution: Administrative and academic uses over time
- Naming and Legacy: Renaming and lasting institutional significance
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- Uses primary historical sources and university archives to establish credibility, citing specific dates (1902 fire, 1906 completion, 1938 renaming) and costs ($400,000 construction budget)
- Structures the argument around three clear pillars—historical importance, campus location, and functional purpose—making the paper easy to follow and organized logically
- Incorporates personal observation (the author's visit to obtain their university ID) to humanize the history and demonstrate relevance to campus life
- Provides architectural detail (Classical Roman style, scagliola stone construction) that illustrates design intentionality and historical context
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of institutional and archival sources to trace a building's evolution across multiple eras. Rather than simply describing Beardshear in isolation, the author establishes context by examining its predecessor (Old Main), the catastrophic event that necessitated reconstruction (the 1902 fire), and the deliberate design choices made in response (fireproof materials). This cause-and-effect narrative structure reveals how historical events shape physical space and institutional identity, a technique common in architectural history and campus studies.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a three-part thesis statement identifying history, location, and function as organizing principles. The body then unfolds chronologically: the original Old Main building and its mixed-use purposes, the 1902 fire that destroyed it, the reconstruction decision and 1906 completion of the new building, the shift in functions over time (classroom relocation in the 1970s), and finally the 1938 renaming to honor William M. Beardshear. The conclusion synthesizes these elements to position Beardshear as a symbol of institutional resilience and development from "prairie sod" to established university.
Introduction to Beardshear Hall
Beardshear Hall is the central building of Iowa State University's campus, located on Beardshear Road. Its significance on campus stems from three primary factors: its rich historical importance, its strategic location at the heart of the university, and the diverse functions it has housed over more than a century. The campus's history is deeply intertwined with this building, which has served as a central provider of classrooms, offices, and living space throughout its existence. No other building on campus possesses as much historical value as Beardshear Hall, as it embodies key moments in the university's development and reflects the institutional priorities of multiple eras.
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.