Historical Buildings- Old Main

Old Main is the landmark of Utah State University and remains the oldest academic building still in use in the state of Utah. In 1889, plans for “The College Building” by C. L. Thompson were selected by the Board of Trustees just two weeks after the land for the Logan campus was secured. The site was chosen the next day so that the main tower would be due east of the end of Logan’s Seventh Street Today’s Fifth North. Construction began immediately on the south wing of the three-part building and was completed in 1890.

With more money appropriated in 1892 than anticipated, the Trustees hired Carl C. Schaub to redesign an enlarged structure and the construction began for the east part of the central section and the north wing. It wasn’t until 1901 that the money was assured for the completion of the building. The front portion along with the tower was completed in 1902 with the design of H. H. Mahler.

Upon completion Old Main was one of the largest academic buildings in the country. Originally, it housed all departments for the college. It has housed a 1500-seat auditorium, a museum, offices, laboratories, a gymnasium, a library, a chapel and a military drill hall. It also has included a woodworking shop, an iron working shop, a dairy room, a cafeteria, and up to 60 classrooms.

In 1909 the senior class placed an “A” on the west side of the tower as a gift to the college. An “A” was later placed on the other three sides.

Since its completion, Old Main has undergone numerous remodels as the college grew and changed. Most of these remodels were limited to the interior and did not affect the structure. The exceptions were a significant remodel following a fire on the third floor of the north wing in 1983, and the addition of a formalized entrance facing the Quad to the east in 1988-1990. 

On June 3, 1970 Old Main was listed on the National Register of Historical Sites.