The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

College Square (Edwards Building)

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College Square (Edwards Building, ca. 1912), Berea College

College Square (Edwards Building), Berea College

Institution Name: Berea College
Original/Historic Place Name: Men's Industrial Building
Location on Campus: Main St. (and Short St.)
Date(s) of Construction:

1902-1903

original construction; October 1902 - December 1903 King, Charles A.

Designer: Charles A. King
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Beaux-Arts classicism (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: local stone

Walls: college-made brick

Roof: composite

Function:

ca. 1903	classroom
ca. 1903	other (shop, mechanical training)
1903-present (2006)	residence hall (men)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	administration

Narrative:
The construction of College Square, also known as the Edwards Building, was supervised by the College. Bricks were fabricated by students and their fathers at the College Brick Yard at Rucker's Knob (Dead Horse Knob), and students were also responsible for construction as part of their industrial training classes under the direction of Josiah Burdett. The style is Beaux-Arts classicism. It is symmetrical with a central stairwell.

College Square has served as U. S. Post Office (1929-1962); as the home of the men's Foundation School and vocational men's classes until 1968; and has also housed a bakery, broomcraft shop, a candy kitchen, and the Printing Office for the Berea Citizen. Today it houses administration and development offices.

References: