Historical Buildings- Ray B. West

History

The Ray B. West Building at Utah State University was originally conceived as barracks for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and new enlistees during World War I. The construction was funded by the Federal War Department, but with persuasive efforts from Governor Bamberger, the funds were redirected to the state for the construction of a permanent structure that could serve the college post-war, with the state agreeing to cover any additional costs.

Designed by Fred W. Hodgson of Logan, Utah, around 1918, the building was initially called “New Barracks No. 1.” Frank M. Allen of Salt Lake City was the contractor responsible for its construction. The building, characterized by its restrained Prairie style, features a symmetrical two-story design with a raised basement, tall windows, and a shallow hipped roof topped with a rectangular cupola, which was part of the ventilation system. The light-yellow brick walls and cast concrete decorative details, including the pilaster capitals and elements on the north vestibule, add to its aesthetic, facing the Quad and marking the primary entrance.

Construction commenced in October 1918, just a month before the armistice that ended World War I. Post-war, Fred Hodgson reconfigured the interior to accommodate classrooms and laboratory spaces, and the building was eventually renamed the “Irrigation Building.” Upon completion, it was formerly known as the Agricultural Engineering Building, a title that was engraved over the entryway.

Throughout the next century, the building underwent several renovations. In the 1960s, major interior renovations transformed it for use by the English Department. Later additions included an enclosed stair tower linking it to the Family Life Building, and in 1986, it was renamed in honor of Ray B. West, a distinguished professor and author. Further modernizations were made in the early 2000s. While the interior has seen significant changes, making it difficult to identify original elements, the exterior has undergone minimal alterations and continues to stand as a testament to its historical significance.