The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

West Residence Hall

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West Residence Hall (front facade), Elon University

West Residence Hall (partial side view), Elon University

Institution Name: Elon University
Original/Historic Place Name: West Residence Hall
Location on Campus: Building 206
Date(s) of Construction:

1907	original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Beaux-Arts classicism (Glossary)
Significance: culture, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: brick

Walls: brick

Roof: shingles

Function:

1907-present (2006)

residence hall

Narrative:
Built in 1905, West Building was the first "modern" residence hall on campus. It had fire walls extending through the roof and an elevated water tank. Due to these innovations, it survived the catastrophic fire of January 1923 which destroyed the center of campus. Graduation ceremonies have been held on the West Building south lawn since 1923.

It is the sole remaining building from before the 1923 fire.

References:

Stokes, Durwood T. Elon College: Its History and Traditions. Elon, NC: Elon College Alumni Assocation, 1982.