Francis Quadrangle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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David R. Francis Quadrangle Historic District
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded by Conley Ave. and Elm, 6th, and 9th Sts., Columbia, Missouri |
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| Area | 32.9 acres (13.3 ha) |
| Built | 1867 |
| Architect | Morris Frederick Bell, William Lincoln Garver |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001036 |
| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1973 |
The David R. Francis Quadrangle is the historic heart of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. People often call it The Quad. It is the oldest part of the university's "Red Campus" and sits right next to Downtown Columbia.
At the center of The Quad are six tall stone columns. These are all that is left of the university's first main building, Academic Hall. Around The Quad, you'll find twelve important buildings. One of them is Jesse Hall, a large building with a dome. It is the tallest building in Columbia.
The Quad was designed by architect Morris Frederick Bell and his helper William Lincoln Garver. It is named after Missouri governor David R. Francis. The entire Quad and most of the Red Campus are part of a special place called the Francis Quadrangle National Historic District.
You can also find interesting monuments here. There's an obelisk (a tall, pointed stone pillar) that was the original tombstone of Thomas Jefferson. His family gave it to the university because Missouri has ties to Virginia, where Jefferson was from. Near Jesse Hall, there are markers honoring university president Richard Henry Jesse and Governor David R. Francis. Another obelisk remembers Missouri's first U.S. senator, David Barton.
The Missouri School of Journalism is at the northeast corner of The Quad. It includes several buildings like Walter Williams Hall and the Reynolds Journalism Institute. On the west side, Switzler Hall is the oldest academic building on campus. However, the Residence on the Quad, where the chancellor lives, is the oldest building overall. The University of Missouri College of Engineering is also on the west side. Pickard Hall is currently closed because of old experiments from long ago. Swallow Hall was recently updated and now holds departments like Anthropology.
History of The Quad
When the University of Missouri first started, there was only one main building called Academic Hall. This building was made from red brick and limestone between 1840 and 1843. For many years, it was the only academic building at the university. In 1843, a large house was built next door for the university's president.
During the American Civil War, soldiers used Academic Hall. They even burned parts of the library for firewood. Academic Hall was damaged, and the president's house burned down in 1865. After the war, the university sued the government for the damage. They won money, which they used to build the Memorial Gateway. A new President's Mansion was built in 1867 and is still there today. Because the university needed more space, Scientific Hall (now Switzler Hall) was built in 1872.
The Great Fire of 1892
A big change happened when Academic Hall burned down on a cold night in January 1892. Many people in the Missouri Legislature wanted to move the university to Sedalia. But Governor David R. Francis promised to fight to keep the campus in Columbia. He visited Columbia to talk to everyone. He then called a special meeting of the Missouri Legislature. He was able to get $250,000 to rebuild the university.
The university was rebuilt around the famous columns. The "New Academic Hall," later named Jesse Hall, was built on the south side. The Avenue of the Columns was created on the north side.
The Quad Today
On October 23, 2010, The Quad was the setting for ESPN's College GameDay. This is a popular TV show about college football. Over 18,000 fans came to The Quad, which was a record for the show!
Buildings on The Quad
Geology Building
The Geology Building is the newest separate building on The Quad.
Hill Hall
Hill Hall was built in 1950. It is named after Albert Ross Hill, a former president of the university.
Jesse Hall
Jesse Hall was built in 1892 and was first called "New Academic Hall." It was later renamed after MU president Richard Henry Jesse. The building's dome reaches nine stories high. It is one of the most famous symbols of the University of Missouri. Architect Morris Frederick Bell designed it. Today, it is the main office building for the university.
Lafferre Hall
The Engineering Building was built in 1892. It is on the west side of The Quad. After a large gift, the building is now called Lafferre Hall.
Pickard Hall
Pickard Hall was built in 1892. It used to hold the MU Art and Archaeology Museum. In 2013, it was closed. This was because of some leftover radiation from science experiments done between 1910 and 1930. The building is named after professor John Pickard.
Residence on the Quad
The Residence on The Quad was built in 1867. It stands on the east side of The Quad. This is the oldest building still standing on campus. Thomas Jefferson's original tombstone is located between this building and The Columns. The Residence is the official home for the university's chancellor.
Sociology Building
The Sociology building was built in 1892. It is near the northeast corner of The Quad. This building has been updated and is now the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute.
Swallow Hall
Swallow Hall was built in 1893. It is on the southeast corner of The Quad. It is named after George Clinton Swallow, who was Missouri's first state geologist. Today, the building houses the Museum of Anthropology.
Switzler Hall
Switzler Hall was built in 1871. It was first called the "Scientific Building." It is the oldest academic building still standing on campus. Switzler Hall is named after William Franklin Switzler. A special part of Switzler Hall is its bell tower. The bell was given to the university by Major James S. Rollins. It has words carved into it that mean, "Now is the occasion and the time." The bell used to ring every hour classes were in session until 1936.
Monuments on The Quad
The Columns
The Columns used to hold up Academic Hall. They were designed by Stephen Hills. Now, they stand in the middle of The Quad. The Columns are the only part left of Academic Hall after it burned down on January 9, 1892. In 1893, the university leaders voted to remove the Columns. They thought they were unsafe and looked bad. But after checking, they found the foundations were strong. Many local people wanted to keep the Columns. So, the leaders changed their minds. Today, The Columns are one of the most photographed landmarks in Missouri. Only the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is photographed more!
Thomas Jefferson's Tombstone
Thomas Jefferson's original tombstone is on the east side of The Quad. Jefferson's family gave it to the university in July 1883. They did this because Mizzou was the first university started in the Louisiana Purchase area. Thomas Jefferson was the president who bought the Louisiana Territory from France.
The stone has a plaque that explains its history. It also has the original words from Jefferson's grave. These words say: "Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of American Independence of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom and FATHER of the University of Virginia"
Francis Marker
There is a statue of former Missouri governor David R. Francis. It stands just northeast of the entrance to Jesse Hall. Students have a tradition of rubbing his nose before an exam. They believe it will help them get an "A." Because so many students do this, the statue's nose has been replaced three times!
Barton Marker
A stone marker honors David Barton. He was Missouri's first senator. This marker is at the southwest corner of The Quad.
British House of Parliament Stone
A stone from the House of Parliament in Britain stands outside the Journalism School.
Chinese Lions
Two old Chinese lion statues guard the archway to 9th Street. This is on the northeastern side of The Quad.
Images for kids
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Drawing of Academic Hall, Switzler Hall, and the President's House around 1875
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Academic Hall as it was originally constructed, sometime before 1885
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Academic Hall and Chalybeate Spring in the 1880s
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Academic Hall with the expanded east and west wings, perhaps in 1890-1892
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The Columns stand in the rubble of Academic Hall after the 1892 fire, the new buildings of Francis Quad in the background
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Plans for the creation of the Quad drawn by architect Morris Frederick Bell
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Jesse Hall around 1895
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Artist rendition of The Quad around 1905
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Artist rendition of The Quad around 1910
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1922 Savitar yearbook picture of ivy covered Columns
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1930-45 postcard of the "Historic Columns Missouri University"
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The Columns in the snow
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The Columns with Jesse Hall in the background
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From the Avenue of the Columns
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From Elm Street in snow
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Jesse and the Columns
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The Quad in 2009
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Original tombstone of Thomas Jefferson
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Bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson
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Residence on the Quad
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Switzler Hall
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Reynolds Journalism Institute
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The Geology Building
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Swallow Hall in summer
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Swallow Hall undergoing construction in 2015
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