Widney Alumni House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Widney Alumni House |
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| Location | 650 Childs Way, Los Angeles |
| Built | 1880 |
| Architect | Kysor & Morgan |
| Governing body | University of Southern California |
| Official name: Original Building of the University of Southern California | |
| Reference no. | 536 |
| Designated | December 16, 1970 |
| Reference no. | 70 |
The Widney Alumni House is a very old and important building on the University of Southern California (USC) campus in Los Angeles. It is special because it is the oldest university building in Southern California that has been used continuously since it was built in 1880. It is recognized as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and a California Historical Landmark.
The Story of Widney Alumni House
The Widney Alumni House has a long and interesting history. It was built in 1880 and has been used for education ever since. This makes it the oldest building of its kind in Southern California.
A Historic Building
This building is so important that it has two special titles. It is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, which means the city of Los Angeles recognizes it as a very important place. It is also a California Historical Landmark, meaning the whole state of California sees it as a significant part of history. The official plaque for the California Historical Landmark says:
- The building was opened on September 4, 1880.
- Students started learning there on October 6, 1880.
- Marion McKinley Bovard was the first president of the university.
- The land for the building was given by Ozro W. Childs, John G. Downey, and Isaias W. Hellman.
- Judge Robert M. Widney, a main founder of the university, helped guide the building's creation.
Who Helped Build It?
Many people helped make the Widney Alumni House possible. Judge Robert M. Widney was a key person in starting the University of Southern California. He guided the project to build this first university building.
The land for the university and its first building was a gift from three important people: Ozro W. Childs, John G. Downey, and Isaias W. Hellman. Their generosity helped create the university. When the building opened, Marion McKinley Bovard became the university's first president. He welcomed the first students through its doors in October 1880.
