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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraphagen Hall (24GA1889) final MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD For the Montana National Register of Historic Places Program and State Antiquities Database Montana State Historic Preservation Office Montana Historical Society PO Box 201202, 1410 8 th Ave Helena, MT 59620-1202 Property Address: Montana State University Campus NE Corner of 10 th Ave & Hayes St Historic Address (if applicable): Same City/Town: Bozeman Site Number: 24GA1889 (An historic district number may also apply.) County: Gallatin Historic Name: Chemistry Building Original Owner(s): Montana State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts Current Ownership Private Public Current Property Name: Traphagen Hall Owner(s): Montana State University - Adminstration Owner Address: 201 Main Hall / PO Box 172440 Bozeman, MT 59717-2440 Phone: 406-208-8727 Legal Location PM: Montana Township: 2S Range: 5E SW ¼ NW ¼ NE ¼ of Section: 13 Lot(s): Block(s): Addition: Capitol Hill Year of Addition: USGS Quad Name: Bozeman Year: 1987 Historic Use: Classrooms, Laboratories, Offices Current Use: Same (Psychology & Earth Sciences) Construction Date: 1919 Estimated Actual Original Location Moved Date Moved: UTM Reference www.nris.mt.gov/topofinder2 NAD 27 or NAD 83(preferred ) Zone: 12 Easting: 496075 Northing: 5056991 National Register of Historic Places NRHP Listing Date: Historic District: Montana State University-Bozeman HD NRHP Eligible: Yes No Date of this document: October 15, 2012 Form Prepared by: Jessie Nunn (Consultant) Address: 600 Meadowlark Lane, Livingston, MT 59047 Daytime Phone: 406-208-8727 MT SHPO USE ONLY Eligible for NRHP: x yes no Criteria: x A B x C D Date: October 2013 Evaluator: K. Hampton Comments: Contributor to MSU-Bozeman HD MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 2 Architectural Description Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Site Number: 24GA1889 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Architectural Style: Other: If Other, specify: Italian Renaissance Revival Property Type: Education Specific Property Type: Architect: Fred F. Willson Architectural Firm/City/State: Fred F. Willson / Bozeman, MT Builder/Contractor: John Kroffganz & Louis Frank Company/City/State: Kroffganz & Frank / Butte, MT Source of Information: University Archives The Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) is a 57’ x 129’ three and one-half story reinforced concrete structure and incudes a full daylight basement and attic. It is 58’ feet tall. On the east and north elevations, the foundation is clad in granite. Willson’s original design called for a southern addition, but it was never completed resulting in a somewhat asymmetrical façade and roof shape—the north end is hipped (as intended), but the south end terminates in a gable. The low-pitched, wood-framed roof has an overhanging eave supported by evenly-spaced decorative brackets on all elevations except the south, which has a gabled parapet. The building, excepting the south elevation, is finished in the Italian Renaissance style with red roof tiles, polychrome, rug face brick veneer in a common bond and ornamental glazed terra cotta tile. Designed as a temporary exterior wall, the south elevation remains an unfinished wall of common, pinkish- red brick and little fenestration. A brick water table created by a soldier course and rowlock course separates the basement and first stories on the east- facing façade, north side and rear elevation. A simple soldier course suggests a water table on the unfinished south elevation. On all finished façades, pilasters extend two stories from the water table terminating in a belt course of soldier bricks capped by terra cotta that mimics an architrave. The pilasters separate each bay of widows, which now hold four- light thermal aluminum units instead of the original eight-over-eight double hung wood windows. Square basement windows sit just above the foundation. Slip sills below first and second story windows are terra cotta on the east and north elevations and rowlock brick on the west and north elevations. Terra cotta blocks embellish the upper corner of each second story window on the east façade and north and rear elevations. Spandrels between the first and second stories on the east façade and north elevation are detailed with terra cotta and bricks in a decorative rectangular pattern, with a glazed terra cotta tile in the center alternating in red and green between bays. The frieze is decorated on the east façade and north elevation with a green glazed terra cotta tile centered in a soldier course of brick above each window bay, except for above corner bays and the main entrance bay on the façade. Here a shield-shaped ornamental terra cotta piece is centered in the brickwork. The shields are outlined in gold with a raised gold “M” on a blue background. Corner pilasters on building’s north side and the north end of the east façade also include slender rectangular panels created with decorative brickwork and accented with terra cotta tiles at each corner. Terra cotta panels with torches in bas relief on the north side and scales on the façade embellish the top of each corner panel. The east façade has a semi-circular arched entrance with recessed doors, framed in a terra cotta tile floral pattern. Within the arch is a wrought iron ornament supporting a suspended iron and glass lantern. There are three narrow oak and glass doors with bronze handles. Above the doors is a transom of “spoke” pattern lights and a glass tympanum. Three granite steps and a terrazzo landing lead to the doors. Art Nouveau iron screens protect vents located within the arch on either side of the doors. Above the arch are two diamond-shaped, blue and white glazed terra cotta tiles, which flank a terra cotta panel inscribed with the word “CHEMISTRY." An elongated six-light aluminum window lights the main central stairway above the entrance and is framed by decorative brickwork. Without its intended addition on the south end, the façade is asymmetrical with seven bays to the north of the entrance, and only four to the south. The corners of the façade are also different, with the south corner lacking decorative paneling and a continuous overhanging eave. The north side of Traphagan Hall carries over much of the decorative motif from the façade. It is symmetrical with four bays flanking a central entrance bay. On the ground level, two widows flank a modern glass and aluminum door with a sidelight. A tile-clad gable roof canopy supported by slender piers extends over a short raised walkway leading to this entrance. The second and third stories both contain five widows on this elevation, except the central window on the second story has been infilled with brick. The rear, west elevation is nearly identical to the east façade, but not as ornately finished. There are no spandrel panels, terra cotta sills, granite foundation veneer, or decorative shields in the frieze. The strait window lintels of solider course brick rest on visible angle irons. The windows are in the same arrangement as found on the façade, with eleven ground story windows and thirteen first and second story windows. A smaller entrance with a canopy similar to the one found on MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 3 Architectural Description Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Site Number: 24GA1889 the north elevation is directly across from the main entrance. It has a modern glass and aluminum door and sidelight and does not have any steps. An original fire escape extends downward from a door exiting a shed-roofed dormer in the fifth bay from the north. The dormer roof is clad in red tile and has decorative brackets like much of the rest of the building. There is a shingle-clad vent in the roof to the south of the dormer. The south elevation is a flat brick bearing-wall with gabled parapet, punctured on the ground and first stories by two windows. Three windows light the second story. This side was originally intended to be finished in the future. The interior hall floors are finished in terrazzo with compound floors in the classrooms. The building retains its original staircase with metal banisters and wood railing, and original doors. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 4 History of Property Property Name: Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 HISTORY OF PROPERTY Introduction Like the other seven buildings constructed between 1919 and 1925, the Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) was constructed in response to a need for increased classroom, laboratory and office space for the growing college departments. According to historian Merrill Burlingame, with enrollment projected to rise significantly following World War I, Chancellor Edward Elliot urged the legislature and state to pass a special property tax of 2½ mills to be used in support of higher education. A bond issue for $5 million for new buildings was also initiated. Both measures were heartily passed, and the University was finally able to proceed with construction that would transform the campus and college. Five new Italian Renaissance Revival style academic buildings and the Heating Plant were constructed between 1919 and 1922, followed in 1925 by Herrick Hall. (Burlingame, 70-71). The Chemistry Building was the first of these to be competed. Also slated to transform the campus in the period following World War I was a comprehensive landscaping plan developed by prominent New York Landscape architect, Cass Gilbert. In 1917 the State Board of Education contracted Gilbert to plan building programs for all four of Montana’s institutions of higher learning. Gilbert’s plan re-orientated the campus, creating a classical axial arrangement which retained Montana Hall (Main Hall) as the center of campus, but expanded the property to the south. Engineering Hall, along with the 1919 Chemistry Building (Traphagan Hall), the 1922 Romney Gymnasium and the 1922 Engineering Shops (Ryon Labs) created a second assembly of buildings encircling a broad grassy open space. Traphagan Hall is the second chemistry building to be constructed on the Montana State campus. The first, built in 1897 directly west of Montana Hall, burned down in 1916. The $12,000 insurance went to the State’s general fund. The college paper reported at the end of the year that the State Board of Examiners planned to release $50,000 for a new building, and $20,000 for new furniture. ( Exponent , November 18, 1916, 1) The following year, the Legislature appropriated $157,000 for the college, with $50,000 towards the construction of a new chemistry building. (Burlingame, 58). Architects The construction documents for Traphagen Hall indicate George Carsley as the consulting architect suggesting Fred Willson assisted with the local construction administration due to Carsley's distance from the project. George H. Carsley, Architect George Hollis Carsley was born in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin on April 7, 1870. In 1880, his family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and seven years later to Helena, Montana. Carsley returned to Minnesota for schooling and earned a degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota in 1896. Shortly thereafter, he worked for Cass Gilbert in his St. Paul office on Beaux Arts style projects. In 1898, Carsley lost his job with Gilbert due to a slowdown in commissions and moved back to Helena, Montana where he worked as a draftsman. Gilbert rehired him, and in 1904 entrusted him with his operations in St. Paul. By 1911, Carsley returned to Helena, Montana and established his own architectural firm. He subsequently collaborated with Cass Gilbert on campus plans for Montana State and The University of Montana in 1917. He died July 4, 1933. 1 Carsley also designed several handsome buildings at Montana Tech in Butte. Fred F. Willson, Architect The college contracted with Bozeman architect Fred F. Willson to design the new engineering building. Born in 1877, he was the only son of General L. S. Willson, Civil War veteran, territorial legislator, and Bozeman pioneer. After attending the Bozeman Academy, Willson completed his junior year at Montana State College then enrolled at Columbia University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1902. Willson then returned to Montana, where he spent two years in the Helena office of prominent architect, Charles S. Haire. Next, he went to Europe, where he studying at the Ecole des Beau Arts and traveled, before returning to the United States in 1906. Willson lived briefly in New York City, where he was associated with architects Theodore C. Visscher and James Burley. Later that year, Willson returned to Montana to oversee the Butte office of his mentor, who now headed the firm of Link & Haire. Willson returned permanently to Bozeman in 1910 and opened his own office in the Commercial National Bank Building. He designed and built his own residence at 509 Tracy Avenue in 1914. Willson designed numerous buildings in the Bozeman area and across Montana, and was competent in a number of architectural styles including Craftsman, Mission 1 Adapted from Hipólito Rafael Chacón and Carlie McGill, “The University of Montana Historic District Addendum and Boundary Increase,” National Register of Historic Places Nomination, 2010, 33-34. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 5 History of Property Property Name: Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 and Renaissance Revival, Jacobethan and International. In addition to the Chemistry Building, his designs on campus include Hamilton Hall, the Engineering Shop (Ryon Labs) and its addition, the Heating Plant, the Chemistry Building, Herrick Hall, the original section of the 1939-1940 Strand Union Building, and the 1935 Quadrangle. His design of Bozeman’s Jacobethan Emerson School won praise from educational groups across the United States. Willson also expanded his business interests into areas other than architecture. He owned 640 acres in the Powder River area, was president of the Bozeman Investment Company and a director and stockholder of the Willson Company, the latter of which was established by his father in the 1870s. (Stout, 319-320) Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Although the 1916-1917 Annual Catalogue confidently predicted that the new building would be ready for use by 1918, the structure was not officially opened until September 1919. John Kroffganz and Louis Frank of Butte, Montana were selected as the general contractor for the Chemistry Building with a contract for $108,859.00. (Kroffganz and Frank Contract, 11 April 1918) The 1918-1919 Annual Catalogue described the building as, “a unit of a large building plan to be considered as the demand the demands of the institution increase.” (26 th Annual Catalog, 21) While the future extensive building plans failed to materialize, the Chemistry Building was a success. Its design called for steam direct-indirect heating, and considered the distinctive needs of the Chemistry Department. The design included a ventilation system for the hoods, and separate pipes for water, drainage, air pressure vacuum, hot water, distilled water and hydrogen sulfide. Some laboratories had electric circuits for heat and power. In order to provide a usable basement, the design included a sub-basement for service systems and storage space. The full daylight basement housed laboratories for agriculture, organic, food, industrial, chemical and analytical chemistry. The department office and library, a classroom and research laboratories of the Experiment Station’s chemistry department were located on the first floor. More laboratories for general chemistry, offices and a 200-seat lecture hall occupied most of the second floor. The attic would house the geological collections and a mineral laboratory, and storage for distilled water and a hydrogen sulfide generator. (26 th Annual Catalogue, 21-22) Miscellaneous Notes In 1935, the College again hired Fred F. Willson to design an addition and one-story service shop for the Chemistry Building. It was to be financed by a Public Works Administration loan, but apparently limited funding prevented construction. Willson’s design would have finished the south end of the building, creating a three story, hip-roofed section of classrooms and laboratories that copied the north end of the building, visually balancing the structure. The glass, iron and concrete service shops were to have been constructed on the west side of the building and would have been nearly identical to Willson’s 1922 Engineering Shops (Ryon Labs). (PWA Box, Archives) In 1968, the University’s Building Names Committee suggested renaming Chemistry Hall in honor of Frank W. Traphagen. Traphagen graduated with a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and came to Montana State in 1893 as a Professor of Chemistry and the Natural Sciences. He also worked as a chemist for the Experiment Station. According to the committee, Traphagen was a “master teacher, a thorough scholar and a collector or rare ability…He made the first extensive collection of minerals in the state, much of which is still in the possession of the Geology Department. The home of the Traphagens was one of the most important social centers for the early college community.” (A5.2.2.b/Building Names) MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 6 Information Sources/Bibliography Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 INFORMATION SOURCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY Building Master List. Physical Plant Records, Montana State University. Burlingame, Merrill. A History: Montana State University, Boeman Montana. Bozeman, MT: Office of Information Publication, Feburary 1968. “Chemistry Building to be Erected Soon.” The Weekly Exponent , 17 November 1916. “Contract Between John Kroffganz and Louis Frank & State of Montana for Chemical Laboratory Building, Montana Staet College,” 25 April 1918. File 18-0001 University Archives, Montana State University Facilities. “Folder A6.1/Buldings, History of.” Montana State University Archives. “Folder 4, PA6.2/Building-cost.” Montana State University Archives. Freeman, Cortland L. “The Growing Up Years—The First 100 Years of Bozeman as and Incorporated City From 1883 to 1983,” Bozeman, MT: Gallatin County Historical Society, December 1988. “Location Listings, Construction Files, Specifications, Blueprints, O/M’s [Master List],” Montana State University Facilities, c. 1900 – 2004. Nepper, Carl J. 1939 Building Appraisal. Photos: PA6.1.CBII E. Side, Folder 4, no. 9; PA6.1.CII Chemistry Building 1938 Folder 4, no. 4. Montana State University. PWA Buiding Applications Projects Box. Montana State University Archives. Stout, Tom. Montana: Its Story and Biography . Vol. 2, Chicago: The American Historical Society, 1921. University of Montana Bulletin, Montana State College. “24 th Annual Catalogue 1916-1917,” no. 3, Bozeman, MT: n.p. May 1916. University of Montana Bulletin, Montana State College. “26 th Annual Catalogue 1918-1919,” no. 14, Bozeman, MT: n.p. May 1919. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 7 Statement of Significance Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NRHP Listing Date: NA NRHP Eligibility: Yes No Individually Contributing to Historic District Noncontributing to Historic District NRHP Criteria: A B C D Area of Significance: Education, Architecture Period of Significance: 1919-1964 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Chemistry Building is a contributing resource within the proposed Montana State University Historic District, which is eligible for listing in the National Register under Criteria A and C. Under Criterion A, it is significant for its association with higher education in Montana and as a representative from the second major period of construction on the University’s campus. Architecturally, the Chemistry Building is significant as an example of the Italian Renaissance Revival style and as the work of local master architect, Fred F. Willson. The Chemistry Building is a physical reminder of the growth of Montana State College in the early 20 th century. Enrollment in the department grew from 15 “applied science” students in 1893 to 284 chemistry students in 1922. The college’s first year, which was spent in rented buildings and high school classrooms, was described over 60 years later by former student, Thomas H. McKee, as: only an idea, a disembodied one, without house to dwell in, without teacher or student, and worst of all, without a dollar. To get its ensuing appropriations it had to be a going concern. It needed money to get started and couldn’t get money until it did start. (Burlingame, 12) The appropriation of 200 acres and some small farm buildings south of town on “a low hill, [and] a slightly place,” was the result of contributions by Bozeman citizens. One year later, the college boasted a large brick structure that commanded a view of the entire valley. (Burlingame, 19, 30) The resultant first major period of construction (1894-1919) resulted in five brick buildings at the top of the low hill south of Bozeman, including the 1897 Italianate style Chemistry Building. It was a good start to a 20-year old school, but larger things would follow. Built in 1919 to replace the first Chemistry Building, which was destroyed by fire, the Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) was part of the College’s greatest, and most stylistically-consistent, construction period from 1919-1925. The design and construction of six Italian Renaissance style buildings was possible due to the appropriation of large sums of money for the expansion of the Montana University System. Engineering Hall was also part of a concentrated effort by the State Board of Education and the College to project an appearance of stability within an intellectually nurturing environment. It complimented landscape architect Cass Gilbert’s classical plan, and was appropriate to the academic institution. The Renaissance Revival Style evoked images of the 16 th Century intellectual rebirth and optimism in mankind’s future. The result was an ordered, refined campus in keeping with the College’s status as one of the State’s leading academic institutions. Fred F. Willson was Bozeman’s most successful architect in the early and mid-20 th century. Willson is responsible for nearly every significant structure in Bozeman’s Main Street business district as well as over 40 residences. The appearance of Montana State University is also based to a large extent on Willson. Nearly all of the buildings on campus constructed between 1910 and 1940, as well as some later buildings, were designed by Willson. The architect’s work was described by a contemporary in the 1920s as “noted for originality of design…tempered by the broad and thorough knowledge he has of architecture as exemplified in the best creations of all the centuries and in the greatest centers of art in the civilized world.” (Stout, 320) MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 8 Integrity Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 INTEGRITY (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, association) The Chemistry Building is in good condition, and has retained its original exterior appearance with little alteration. Even a 1935 design to complete the building was never carried out. Perhaps the most significant change is the replacement of the original windows around 1979 with modern 4-light aluminum units. The Renaissance Revival style is typical of academic buildings constructed in the early 20 th century, and the Chemistry Building displays most common elements of the style: brick cladding, an arched entrance, tile roof and exaggerated eves with decorative bracketing. Only symmetry is lacking, but that is not due to a lack of execution in the design but a lack of funding. While the building retains good integrity, the setting has been somewhat disturbed. Once balanced only by the Engineering Building (Roberts Hall) creating a symmetrical cross-axis to the north-south line of between Montana Hall and Romney Gymnasium, the plan has been compromised by Reid Hall. MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 9 Photographs Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) East Façade, Facing: NW Montana State University Jessie Nunn, October 6, 2012 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 10 Photographs Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Detail of Main Entrance Bay on East Façade, Facing: W Montana State University Jessie Nunn, October 6, 2012 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 11 Photographs Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) North Elevation, Facing: SE Montana State University Jessie Nunn, October 6, 2012 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 12 Photographs Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) West (Rear) Elevation, Facing: E Montana State University Jessie Nunn, October 6, 2012 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 13 Photographs Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) South Elevation, Facing: NW Montana State University Jessie Nunn, October 6, 2012 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 14 Site Map Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889 MONTANA HISTORIC PROPERTY RECORD PAGE 15 Topographic Map Property Name: Chemistry Building (Traphagen Hall) Chemistry Building Site Number: 24GA1889