Campus Buildings, Grounds & Landmarks
1880s
In July of 1886, the headquarters for the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station was dedicated. There were elaborate ceremonies at the site, including speeches by state officials, a procession of guests, and the laying of a cornerstone.
Richard Stanhope Pullen gifted the original 62 acres of land to the state government “for the establishment and conduct of a College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts."
The cornerstone was laid for the first building on campus, originally called Main Building but later named Holladay Hall.
This building would later be renamed Holladay Hall in recognition of the first president of the university, Alexander Holladay. The building was constructed from 1.5 million "penitentiary bricks" made at the State Prison in Raleigh.
D. H. Hill Jr. began his career at North Carolina College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts upon its opening in 1889. He engaged in the common nineteenth-century practice of serving as both a professor of English and the first college librarian. This responsibility was not a major burden, as the early library occupied only a reading room in the Main Building, and later Holladay Hall. For the first ten years of the college, Hill ordered all books and supervised ... More
1890s
The old Mechanical Building, designed by Professor J.H. Kinealy, housed the entire department of Mechanical Engineering including the shops.
The first class of students planted the tree that became known at the Memorial Oak. The tree lived until 1990, when it was removed because of a fungal disease. It is depicted in the chancellor's seal, and some of the wood was made into a table for the chancellor's office.
NC State's first dairy barn stood behind Holladay Hall. Several more were added in 1909 where Reynolds Coliseum now stands.
Named after William Stuart Primrose, a primary founder of NC State, Primrose Hall was built in 1896 to house the Department of Horticulture.
Watauga Hall, built by Charles W. Barrett, housed a dining hall, dorms, and kitchen. It was named for the Watauga Club, a club of young men who lobbied the State Legislature for the founding of State College.
1900s
Pullen Hall was built by William P. Rose with space for a library, dining hall, assembly hall, and chapel. It was named for Richard Stanhope Pullen.
The original textile equipment was housed in the basement of Holladay Hall. Support for the program grew, and the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $10,000 toward the construction of a textile building in 1901. This structure, Tompkins Hall, resembled a textile mill of the period and was completed in early 1902. In 1917, it was named for Daniel A. Tompkins, a Charlotte industrialist who was instrumental in the establishment of the textile program at NC ... More
Patterson Hall, originally called Agricultural Hall, was named for Samuel Ledgerwood Patterson. This building housed the Department of Horticulture, Aboriculture, and Botany.
The Board of Trustees approved converting an area on campus called "Crawford's Farm" into an athletic field. Games were previously played at Red Diamond Field (now part of Pullen Park) or the Old State Fairgrounds on the other side of Hillsborough Street.
The field where ballgames were played was named the New Athletic Field.
1910s
Winston Hall opened and housed civil, chemical, and electrical engineering courses. It was named for the second college president, George Tayloe Winston.
The Zoology Building, originally called Animal Industry Building, was constructed for Animal Industry, Zoology, and Entomology department. The building was demolished in the mid-1950s.
Construction began on the 1911 Building (originally the 1911 Dormitory) in 1909. It was named for the class that banned freshman hazing. It had also housed the departments of Engineering Mechanics, Home Demonstration, Industrial Engineering, Rural Sociology, Veterans Administration, and Sociology and Anthropology.
Riddick Field (formerly A&M Athletics Field and later Riddick Stadium) was named for Wallace Carl Riddick, a former president of the college and dean of the School of Engineering. The field originally hosted football and baseball games.
Leazar Hall, named for Augustus Leazar, was built as the dining hall, seating 750 students.
The King Religious Center (also called YMCA Building) served as a religious and social center with a gym and pool in the basement. It served as a de facto student union before the first college union was built in the 1950s. The building was demolished in 1975.
Due to increased student enrollment, ten temporary wooden buildings known as "The Shacks" were constructed.
The Park Shops, built by Harry P. S. Keller, were originally built to house the mechanical shops, forge, and foundry.
Fire destroyed the Textile Building, now Tompkins Hall, and all the equipment inside. The Textile Building was rebuilt the following year with the local textile industry contributing new equipment.
South Dorm (now the north wing of Syme Hall) opened. It was designed by architects Thomas W. Cooper and G. Murray Nelson.
1920s
Welch Hall, a dormitory, was built by Hobart Brown Upjohn and named for alumnus Cleveland Welch.
Gold Hall was built by architect Hobart Brown Upjohn and named after alumnus Charles Wyllis Gold.
The cornerstone was laid for the Memorial Bell Tower, a monument to honor State College alumni who were killed during World War I.
Page Hall was built by Hobart Brown Upjohn and named for Walter Hines Page, who was a member of the Watauga Club and instrumental in the founding of the college.
Ricks Hall, built by Thomas Wright Cooper and G. Murray Nelson, opened to house the Agricultural Extension Service, agricultural economics and business, agricultural information, and horticulture departments. It was named for Robert Henry Ricks.
Chinqua-Penn Plantation, near Reidsville, NC, was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Penn. NC State would help operate the plantation from 1959 to 2006.
The new gymnasium on campus was named after Frank Thompson (class of 1910), a former athlete at State College who was killed during service in WWI.
The south wing and center of Syme Hall were completed by architect Hobart Upjohn. Syme Hall was later named for alumnus George F. Syme.
Bagwell Hall served as a dormitory and was built by Hobart Brown Upjohn. It was named for Eugene Cleveland Bagwell, an alumnus in civil engineering. It was financed by the Public Works Administration.
Thompson Hall was dedicated as Thompson Gymnasium on this date. It was the first on-campus home dedicated to basketball and the Department of Physical Education (now the Department of Health & Exercise Studies). Previously, home basketball games had been played in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. The building was designed by architect Hobart Upjohn and named for alumnus Frank Martin Thompson. The NC State basketball team played there until Reynolds Coliseum opened in 1949.
The original D. H. Hill Jr. Library, in what later became Brooks Hall, was designed by Hobart Brown Upjohn and named for Daniel Harvey Hill Jr., the first faculty member to oversee the library.
When opened in 1938, the building was originally named Daniels Hall for Josephus Daniels. It was built by Hobart Brown Upjohn to house Electrical Engineering and Physics. The building was later renamed 111 Lampe Drive.
The Ceramics Building, or Ceramic Engineering Building, was built in 1926 and contained a laboratory for the Department of Ceramic Engineering. A smokestack sat beside the structure. Both structures were demolished in 1967-1968, and Poe Hall was later constructed on the site.
The original D. H. Hill Jr. Library was dedicated in the building later known as Brooks Hall. The contents of the library were moved into the building the previous fall, marking the first time there was an entire building designated as the library.
Polk Hall was built by Hobart Brown Upjohn and named for Leonidas LaFayette Polk.
By the 1920s, Winston Hall, shared by civil engineering and others, was no longer meeting the needs of the department. Construction of a new facility named the Civil Engineering Building began in 1927 and was completed in 1928. It was initially a two-story building located south of the 1911 Building.
The Chancellor's Residence was built by Hobart Brown Upjohn and renovated in 2004.
Peele Hall was built by Hobart Brown Upjohn and named for William Joseph Peele, founder of the Watauga Club.
1930s
Hill Forest was donated by George Watts Hill.
The first telephones were installed in the dormitories. Previously, telephones were only available for student use in the YMCA building.
Fire destroyed one of State College's dairy barns with damages estimated at $4,000.
State College tied the University of Florida, 0-0, in the first football game held at Riddick Field with its new concrete stands. The field was named for college president Wallace Carl Riddick.
An announcement was made inviting students to be employed on Civil Works Administration (CWA) projects to improve the campus.
The Works Progress Administration commissioned James A. McLean to create four murals depicting agriculture, science, architecture, and engineering. The McLean Murals were displayed in Brooks Hall, originally the D. H. Hill Jr. Library. After complaints and ridicule, the murals were removed from display, three were destroyed, and one was rediscovered years later in the Raleigh Little Theater.
The grandstands were completed with loans from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and a small grant from the Works Progress Administration.
The Memorial Bell Tower construction project received a $37,000 Works Progress Administration grant.
A new electric scoreboard and time clock were used at Riddick Stadium for the first time during a game against the University of Georgia. The scoreboard and clock were a donation from the News & Observer.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Monument was erected to honor the men and women who achieved independence of the thirteen original colonies.
The shaft of the Memorial Bell Tower was completed with aid from the Works Progress Administration.
A forgotten bell was rediscovered in 2006. It was originally on the top of Metropolitan Hall in downtown Raleigh, then moved to a fire station on Morgan and Salisbury streets, and finally to Withers Hall. It signaled the end of classes and may have been intended for the Memorial Bell Tower. In 2008, it was given back to the city of Raleigh.
The Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Dormitories formed the Freshman Quadrangle.
In response to traffic congestion on campus, Chancellor Harrelson appointed a committee of faculty members to study the traffic conditions at NC State.
NC State and the National Youth Administration signed an agreement allowing the NYA to construct a training center on campus. A group of buildings was erected on a site later occupied by the east side of Miller Field and the Jordan Hall Addition. The college took control of these building in 1943 or 1944 and demolished them in 1959.
Becton Hall was designed by Hobart Brown Upjohn and Ross Edward Shumaker and named for alumnus John Leland Becton. It was financed by the Public Works Administration.
Berry Hall, a dormitory, was designed by Hobart Brown Upjohn and Ross Edward Shumaker. It was named for alumnus Leslie Graham Berry and was financed by the Public Works Administration.
Clark Hall, or the Clark Infirmary, was originally a dormitory and became the center for Student Health Services. It was designed by Ross Edward Shumaker and named for Walter Clark, Jr., who sent five sons to State College.
Magnum Hall (now David Clark Laboratories) was built by Ross Edward Shumaker in 1939. It was renovated in 2005.
A new service underpass was created under the railroad tracks near Alexander and Turlington Halls. Construction was funded by the Public Works Administration. The underpass later became the Free Expression Tunnel.
1940s
The new building for the School of Textiles was dedicated on March 5, 1940. Present at the dedication was Dean Thomas Nelson (dean from 1925 to 1943), Associate Justice Heriot Clarkson of the NC Supreme Court, and Governor Clyde R. Hoey, who as a young legislator had voted to approve the formation of a textile program. The building's construction was funded by the Public Works Administration. In 1954, the building was named for Nelson.
Turlington Hall was built as a dormitory by Ross Edward Shumaker with financial support from the Public Works Administration. It was named for alumnus John Edwin Turlington.
Withers Hall was named for William Alphonso Withers, a professor of Chemistry. The building's construction was funded by the Public Works Administration.
State College's new dairy barns were dedicated as part of the college's first annual Livestock Day. Located near the State Fairgrounds, the dairy barns eventually became a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Funding for construction came from the Public Works Administration.
Alexander Hall (originally called "A Dormitory") was designed by Ross Edward Shumaker and named for alumnus Sydenham Bernard Alexander, Jr. Over time, it was a dormitory for men, women, international students, and a co-ed dorm. It was financed by the Public Works Administration.
Students learned that State College acquired the bell and bronze tablet in the Memorial Bell Tower from the U.S. cruiser Charlotte, which was a ship that fought for the navy in WWI and was retired after 17 years of service on November 11, 1935. The bell was rung once when a group of students celebrating a basketball defeat over UNC broke into the tower and rang the bell.
Construction for a new basketball arena and ROTC armory began in 1942. Construction was interrupted for many years because of World War II. The building was named for businessman William Neal Reynolds and funding to begin construction came from the Works Progress Administration.
All dorms, the cafeteria, and other non-classroom buildings on campus were given official names for the first time.
During World War II, State College formed a partnership with the U.S. Navy to train naval officers in diesel engineering. The Diesel Building was constructed to house this project. It was designed by Ross Edward Shumaker and became part of Broughton Hall in 1951.
The Textiles Library was established, and Rachel Penn Lane was the first librarian. The library was originally located in the main library but relocated to Nelson Hall the following year in 1945. The library was renamed the Burlington Textiles Library in 1954 when Burlington Industries funded its expansion.
The college infirmary moved from Carroll Infirmary to Clark Hall. It was the largest and most modern facility among all southeastern non-medical colleges.
The Bureau of Mines Building was originally a research station for studying mineral industries. It was later the home of the first nuclear reactor on campus, before becoming the home of the physics department.
The Quonset Huts were built to help accommodate the influx of students entering after World War II on the GI Bill.
NC State borrowed $500,000 to begin construction of two new dorms.
More than 75 trailers, forming what was known as the "City of Trailers" or "Trailwood," were constructed. These structures were built so married World War II veterans and their families could attend NC State on the GI Bill. In 1949, Trailwood was relocated, and Williams Hall was built in its place.
Owen Hall was built as a dormitory and named for Edwin Bentley Owen, an alumnus and professor of English.
Built as a dormitory at the same time as Owen Hall, Tucker Hall was named for Irvin Burchard Tucker, who had been a member of the Board of Trustees and president of the General Alumni Association.
Vetville opened as another location to house married veterans attending NC State after World War II. Later, Korean War veterans lived there. At the end of the 1950s, Bragaw dormitory was built on the site.
The Vetville Grocery Store was located in the basement of Vetville YMCA, offering a complete line of groceries at reasonable prices.
The Raleigh City Building Inspector condemned Thompson Gymnasium hours before a men's basketball game against Duke. Only a few reporters and college officials were allowed to attend the next home game against High Point College. From then until the completion of Reynolds Coliseum in 1949, home games were played in Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium.
The Memorial Bell Tower was dedicated with former Governor R. Gregg Cherry present at the ceremony.
Reynolds Coliseum opened with the NC State men's basketball team beating Washington and Lee, 67-47. Not all of the seats had been installed, so some fans had to sit on the cement tiers.
1950s
The Diesel Building became part of Broughton Hall. It was named for Joseph Melville Broughton, a former North Carolina governor and senator.
Over 200 citizens gathered for a ceremony at the newly-opened Riddick Laboratory. The lab building, constructed for $1,300,000, was dedicated to Dr. Wallace Carl Riddick. Dr. Riddick was NC State's first dean of engineering and the university's fourth president.
Kilgore Hall was named for Benjamin Wesley Kilgore, formerly the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station (1901-1907), the Extension Service (1914-1925), and Dean of Agriculture (1923-1925).
The campus Print Shop was built in 1952. In 1974, the Print Shop became the new African American Cultural Center.
State College celebrated the opening of Scott Hall, the new poultry science building, named for Robert Walter Scott. Construction of Scott Hall cost $380,110.97.
Burlington Engineering Labs was built as a center for NC State's research reactor. It was named for Burlington Industries, which was a North Carolina-based textile company.
In 1953, NC State College hosted a dairy farm conference on campus. Chancellor Bostian declared that African American dairy farmers attending the conference could only eat in the west wing of the dining hall. Bostian's announcement was in keeping with the College's policy, which declared African Americans attending on campus meetings would have meals in the dining hall but only when a separate room was available. Leazar Hall served as the campus-dining hall until 1971.
Williams Hall housed the Agronomy Department and was named for Charles Burgess Williams, an alumnus and charter member of the Agronomy Society of America.
Gardner Hall was built to house the biological sciences and named for O. Max Gardner, State College alumnus and former North Carolina governor. It was built by Biberstein, Bowles, & Meacham.
The R-1 reactor was the first non-government-run nuclear reactor in the world and the first designed, built, and operated by an academic institution. Design and construction began in 1950. It was the first of four reactors operated at NC State. More information on the nuclear reactor program can be found on the departmental website.
The new building housing the School of Forestry and the Department of Horticulture was formally dedicated as Kilgore Hall. The building was named in honor of the late Dr. Benjamin Wesley Kilgore. He was the former Dean of Agriculture, Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the first head of North Carolina's Agricultural Extension Service.
The Textiles Library was renamed the Burlington Textiles Library after Burlington Industries funded its expansion.
The studios (also known as "Television Center") housed TV studios, offices, and other facilities for producing and transmitting programs.
The College Union Building was officially opened. The building later became the Erdahl-Cloyd Wing of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library in the 1970s. It was built by T.A. Loving and Co.
Hurricane Hazel destroyed the cupola on Becton Hall and the roof of the press box at Riddick Stadium.
The new D. H. Hill Jr. Library, the east wing of the current building, was formally dedicated.
The Burlington Nuclear Laboratories building was dedicated. Located within the building was the first non-government-run nuclear reactor.
Weaver Laboratories was built for Agricultural Engineering and named for David Stathem Weaver, a former director of the Agricultural Extension Service.
Danforth Chapel was named for philanthropist W. H. Danforth and was inside the YMCA Building (King Religious Center).
Built as the original D. H. Hill Jr. Library, Brooks Hall was renamed and dedicated on April 12, 1956. It was remodeled for the School of Design with an addition to the North Side. Brooks Hall was named for Eugene Clyde Brooks, a former president of State College.
Jim Stewart, former president of the YMCA, was the first person to get married in State College's Danforth Chapel.
The building that housed the Division of Maintenance and Operations was formally named the Morris Building after William Flaude Morris, long-time director of the Service Department at State College.
The Robertson Pulp and Paper Laboratory was named for Reuben B. Robertson, a pulp and paper industrialist and advocate of forest conservation.
Construction of Bragaw Hall began to draw attention. The "new modernistic dormitory" was a "familiar landmark on the campus."
Bragaw Hall was dedicated to Henry Churchill Bragaw, a well-known NC State alumnus who died during World War II. Bragaw was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his heroic actions during the war.
1960s
The Student Supply Store was opened and designed by architect G. Milton Small. Previously, the Student Supply Store or book store was housed in Primrose Hall, Leazar Hall, the King Religious Center, and Watauga Hall.
McKimmon Village opened as housing for married students. It was named for Jane McKimmon, an alumnus and founding member of the National Home Economics Association. It was renamed E.S. King Village in 1976.
The Hodges Wood Products Laboratory was named for Brandon Patton Hodges, a former state senator, state treasurer, and advisor to the Champion Paper and Fiber Company based in Canton, NC.
Women's enrollment reached 308, and the Erdahl-Cloyd Student Center created a special coed lounge for students.
The chemical engineering department's reading room in Riddick Labs was dedicated to Dr. Edgar Eugene Randolph, who was instrumental in developing the chemical engineering curriculum at NC State.
The Reproductive Physiology Research Laboratory was founded to study reasons for the low reproductive rate in farm livestock.
The Erdahl-Cloyd Student Union was named for Jerry Erdahl and Edward Cloyd, administrators in Student Affairs.
Harrelson Hall was designed by Holloway and Reeves with Edward Waugh. It was the first round classroom built on a university campus.
171 students waited in line in front of the Student Housing Office to get rooms in Bragaw Hall for the following year.
Students discovered that the correct pronunciation of Syme Dormitory is "sim." Over half of the students surveyed thought the pronunciation was "sime." The dorm was named after George Frederick Syme, a civil engineer who served as the first president of the Raleigh Engineers Club.
Carmichael Gymnasium was named for William Donald Carmichael, a World War I veteran and advocate for the completion of Reynolds Coliseum. The Department of Physical Education was one of the early occupants of the building.
Governor Sanford was booed after an NC State-Wake Forest basketball game in Reynolds Coliseum by students protesting the possible name change of the college from North Carolina State College to the University of North Carolina at Raleigh.
Harris Cafeteria (now Hall) was originally built as a cafeteria but later housed the departments of Counseling, Registration and Records, Student Development and Residence Facilities. It was named for NC State's first cafeteria manager, Louis Hines Harris, who was hired to feed students using a limited budget following World War I.
Yates Mill, off Lake Wheeler Road near campus, was acquired by NC State as a research mill but fell into disrepair.
Fraternity Row was later renamed Greek Court. Greek Court was renovated to become Greek Village.
Sixty gallons of anti-freeze were put in the cooling tower for the reactor in Burlington Laboratory. It was added to keep the 250 gallons of water in the tower from freezing during the winter.
The Chinqua-Penn Plantation was affiliated with NC State University until 2006, when it was purchased by a private citizen. It was the site of the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center.
The theater was named for alumnus Frank Martin Thompson.
Mann Hall was named for Carroll Lamb Mann, an alumnus and head of the Department of Civil Engineering from 1916 until his retirement in 1948.
Fraternity Court opened with new buildings to house Greek organizations on campus.
The General Labs Building originally housed the administrative offices for the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, as well as the Departments of Physics and Statistics. In 1970, it was renamed Cox Hall in honor of Gertrude Mary Cox, professor emeritus of experimental statistics.
Dorm '62 was dedicated and opened to residents for the first time. The building was renamed Lee Dormitory the following year.
The Faculty Club, built by Guy Crampton, contained a dining hall, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a golf course. It was established through the efforts of Richard Reynolds, an alumnus and tobacco company heir.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place for the construction of Carter Stadium (later Carter-Finley Stadium). It was named for Nick and Harry Carter.
The original Pullen Hall was destroyed by a fire, which a former student later admitted to setting. The music department lost everything, including over 300 band instruments, four pianos, and $15,000 worth of sheet music. The fire also destroyed the department's facilities. Pullen Hall was built in 1902 and was the center of campus activities in the early twentieth century. It was located on the site of present-day Peele Hall parking lot. A few years later, ... More
The last football game was played in Riddick Stadium. Members of the football team mobbed Harold Deters after he kicked the winning field goal against Florida State which resulted in a final score of 3-0.
Carroll Hall was named for Susan Catherine Colwell Carroll, a nurse who became the resident matron of the college infirmary.
Sullivan Hall was originally built as a dorm and was named for William Henry Sullivan, a former president of the Alumni Association and board member on the UNC Board of Trustees.
Doak Field opened as the new facility for the baseball team.
Carter Stadium, as it was originally known, opened as the football team took on South Carolina. Carter Stadium and the A.E. Finley Fieldhouse were dedicated during a halftime ceremony.
In response to graffiti on campus protesting the Vietnam War, student government dedicated a graffiti space for students at the Student Supply Store Tunnel, which was later known as the Free Expression Tunnel. Rules were established by the Campus Welfare Committee concerning the painting of the tunnel, and any use of obscenity or vulgarity was considered a Campus Code offense.
The Dearstyne Avian Health Center was named for Roy Styring Dearstyne, who served as professor of poultry science and pathologist for the Agricultural Experiment Station starting in 1922.
The School of Design Library was named in honor of Harrye B. Lyons, librarian at the school for 20 years.
University Plaza, called "The Brickyard," was designed by landscape architect Richard C. Bell. It was conceived as a public gathering place in the European tradition and was described as reminiscent of Saint Mark's Square in Venice.
A majority of Riddick Stadium was demolished to make room for more parking on campus. SAS Hall was built on the site Riddick Stadium once occupied.
The Phytotron was created to research the influence of environment on primary growth processes in plants. Dr. Robert "Jack" Downs was the first Director of the Phytotron and remained in this position until 1993.
The Cell Library was founded as a departmental library for mathematics and named for John W. Cell, head of the Department of Mathematics.
The Schaub Food Science Building was named for Ira Obed Schaub who served as Dean of the School of Agriculture, Director of the Agricultural Extension Service, and Director of the Experiment Station.
Dabney Hall was built to house the Department of Chemistry and was named for Charles William Dabney, a charter member of the Watauga Club and a professor of chemistry.
Construction of the original Talley Student Center began in 1969.
1970s
The School of Forest Resources Library opened in Biltmore Hall. It later became the Natural Resources Library.
NC State students held a convocation on the Brickyard in the aftermath of U.S. expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia, and the death of four Kent State University students in Ohio. The following day, nearly 6,000 students from NC State and other colleges protested by marching on the State Capitol.
Formerly the General Labs Building, Cox Hall was dedicated in honor of Gertrude Mary Cox, professor emeritus of experimental statistics and the first woman named full professor at NC State. Cox Hall housed the physics and statistics departments.
Biltmore Hall was built to house Teaching and Research and was named after the Biltmore Forest School, a forestry school near Biltmore Estate that was established by Dr. Carl Alvin Schenck.
A single entrance to the library, from the Brickyard, was established for the first time.
Poe Hall was named for Clarence Hamilton Poe (1881-1964). Poe served as editor of the Progressive Farmer and an advocate for improved services for rural people. He was an advocate of the programs that NC State provided, particularly in terms of agricultural education and research. He received the North Carolina Medal in 1964 and an honorary Doctor of Agricultural Education in 1951 from NC State.
Construction ended on the new 11-story tower addition, the North Tower, of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library.
The new 11-story addition, the North Tower, of the D.H. Hill Jr. Library opened.
The Inter-Residence Council approved the construction of cooking spaces in all dorms, hoping to alleviate problems with students cooking illegally in their dorm rooms.
Randleigh Farm was devoted to the research of improving methods of dairy farming. It was the bequest of William R. Kenan Jr. and was sold to Wake County in 2005.
The Case Athletics Center opened and was named after Everett N. Case, men's basketball coach from 1946 to 1965.
The light mural (later known as the Color Wall) in D. H. Hill Jr. Library was displayed by this date, but not yet completed. The mural was created by Joe Cox, a faculty member in the School of Design.
Due to the fire in old Pullen Hall, a new building was built and opened specifically for the music department. The center was named after the first director of music, Percy W. Price, in 1973.
The Swann Memorial Library of Chemistry was named for Dr. Ralph C. Swann, former head of chemistry, and was located in Dabney Hall.
The Talley Student Center opened in June 1972 (shown here before the installation of the fountain and courtyard). It replaced the Erdahl-Cloyd building, now the west wing of D.H. Hill Jr. Library, as the campus student center.
The Grinnells Animal Health Laboratory was named for Claude Delbert Grinnells, professor of Animal Husbandry at NC State for 33 years. He was named North Carolina Veterinarian of the Year in 1958.
The State College Station Post Office was renamed the State University Station Post Office.
A massive student housing shortage left 260 students without housing as classes began.
The original 11-story bookstack tower, now the North Tower of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library, was dedicated. With the addition, the bookstacks were opened to all users. Previously, the library had closed bookstacks.
The University Student Center's Walnut Room Cafeteria opened for the first time on this day at 11:30am.
The Gardner Arboretum was located on a one-acre tract between Patterson Hall and Burlington Laboratories. It was named for M.E. Gardner, former head of the Department of Horticulture.
The two buildings were dedicated during a ceremony at which the NC State University Symphony Orchestra and Choir presented a concert. The 816-seat theater opened during the fall 1972 semester. It was named for James Jackson Stewart Jr., who was dean of Student Affairs from 1954 to 1969.
The School of Textiles Auditorium was renamed in honor of Malcolm E. Campbell, Dean Emeritus of the School of Textiles.
In 1974, African American students called for a new cultural center. Student body president Terry Carroll presented a four-point request to Chancellor Caldwell, which included a request for the first floor of the Print Shop to be turned over to the Society of Afro-American Culture for an African American Cultural Center. Banks C. Talley, dean of Student Affairs, complied with this request.
The Erdahl-Cloyd Student Union officially became the West Wing of the D.H. Hill Jr Library. The building was remodeled to include a book reserve room, an undergraduate browsing collection, and an audiovisual room.
NC State's campus was plunged into a complete power failure for an hour and forty minutes, starting at 11:10pm. The failure was caused by faulty equipment.
The new Print Shop on Sullivan Drive replaced the old one on West Dunn and Dan Allen. It housed University Graphics.
The College Inn, formerly a motel, was purchased by the Wolfpack Club and converted into a residence hall.
NC State purchased the State Capitol Life Insurance building, which was on the corner of Hillsborough and Fairmount streets. The building housed the Computing Center and offices for the Department of Economics.
Married students housing, previously called McKimmon Village, was renamed for Edward S. King, the general secretary of the YMCA on campus from 1919 to 1955.
The University Student Center Plaza, in front of the old University Student Center (now Talley), was designed by landscape architect Richard Bell.
The McKimmon Center was named for Jane McKimmon, an alumnus and founding member of the National Home Economics Association. She was North Carolina’s first home demonstration agent in 1911.
The Gardner Hall addition was built by Carter Williams Architects. The addition was named Thomas Hall on November 19, 2009, in honor of Joab Langston Thomas, who served as chancellor from 1975 to 1981.
The new Pullen Bridge replaced the old one, which had stood for 50 years. It spanned the railroad tracks that run through campus.
Kamphoefner Hall was named for Henry L. Kamphoefner, founding Dean of the College of Design. It was built by Charlotte-based Wolf Associates to provide studio, teaching, and office space.
Student government's "The Day" and the Inter-Residence Council's "Zoo Day" were combined (retaining the latter name), as a day for students to relax and take a break from the pressures of the end of the academic year. Zoo Day was held along Cates Avenue, offering a day of free beer, field games, and concerts.
The University Track was named the Paul H. Derr Track for the long-time track and field coach.
North Hall, formerly the Lemon Tree Inn, was acquired by NC State and used as a dormitory.
The stadium was renamed in honor of Wilbert James "Nick" Carter, Harry Clifton Carter, and Albert Earle Finley. Both Carters were top executives at J. P. Stevens and Finley was a successful businessman and philanthropist.
1980s
NC State's rifle range was closed after it failed to meet the U.S. Army's rifle range safety specifications. The Craft Center was expanded into the space the rifle range once occupied.
The Arboretum, located on Beryl Road, was later renamed for Dr. J.C. Raulston, its founder and director.
Bostian Hall, named for Chancellor Carey Hoyt Bostian, was built as an addition to Gardner Hall to house the biological sciences.
Caldwell Hall, named for Chancellor John T. Caldwell, was designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes in collaboration with J. N. Pease. It originally housed the Dean's Offices of Humanities, the Department of Political Science, and the Japan Center.
The Solar House showcased the solar and solar-efficient technologies of the NC Solar Center. It was intended for public education as well as scholarly research.
Wells Auditorium, inside Bostian Hall, was named for Bertram W. Wells, former head of the Botany Department.
Harkema Auditorium, inside Bostian Hall, was named for Reinard Harkema, a professor in the Department of Zoology.
The Harrill Suite was named for L. R. Harrill, the former director of the state 4-H organization. He was known as "Mr. 4-H."
The Stuckey Building was the main building at the Minerals Research Laboratory in Asheville. It was named for Dr. Jasper Leonidas Stuckey, professor of Geology.
The original four murals, by artist James A. McLean, hung in Brooks Hall and were removed due to public outcry. The murals were created as a Works Progress Administration project. Three were destroyed but one was rediscovered and formally installed in the Student Center in 1982.
New South Hall, a dormitory, was later renamed Wood Hall for George M. Wood, an alumnus, legislator, member of the UNC Board of Governors, and chairman of the NC State Trustees.
The dedication ceremony was attended by the first School of Veterinary Medicine Dean Terrence M. Curtin. Governor James B. Hunt, Chancellor Bruce Poulton, and UNC System President William Friday were also in attendance.
The air conditioning system in Harrelson Hall broke down, sending temperatures in some classrooms up to 90°F.
This addition added 130,000 square feet with amenities such as an Olympic-size swimming pool, an indoor jogging track, and a dance studio.
North Carolina Governor (and NC State alumnus) James B. Hunt Jr. alloted the initial 355-acre parcel of land for the university's Centennial Campus. The land was previously part of the Dorothea Dix hospital.
The Administrative Services Building, now Administrative Services II, was built for the Finance and Business Division.
When Raymond P. Cunningham left his Kinston estate to NC State, it became the Cunningham Center and later the Cunningham Research Station. In 1989, it was combined with the Lower Coastal Plain Tobacco Research Station.
The "Strolling Professor," a bronze statue in Gardner Arboretum that depicts chemistry professor William R. Johnson, was dedicated.
Construction began on the Natural Resources Research Center, later renamed Jordan Hall in honor of R. B. Jordan Jr. and his children. The Jordan family had a history of strong support for NC State.
The Court of North Carolina was previously used as a cow pasture and later as the site of the Quonset Huts that served as housing for World War II veterans. Legend has it that trees were planted in the Court to represent each of North Carolina's 100 counties, but there is no evidence to support the claim.
Yarbrough Court, the court surrounded by Holladay, Peele, Leazar, and Watauga Halls, was named after Mary E. Yarbrough. Yarbrough was the first women to earn a graduate degree from NC State and one of the first three women to graduate from the university.
The Listening Vessels, or sound sculptures, were created by sculptor Doug Hollis in honor of university's participation in the 1987 Olympic Festival. Whille sitting 90 feet apart, people can talk into the sculptures at normal volume and hear each other due to an amplified sound effect.
The first permanent building on Centennial Campus was opened and occupied for the first time. The building was later named the Research I building.
1990s
The Information Technologies Teaching Center (ITTC) was established in the D. H. Hill Jr. Library, initially funded through a gift from the Class of 1990.
A new addition to the D. H. Hill Jr. Library, the South Tower, opened. Besides adding bookstack space, this addition featured a special facilities room and the Class of 1989 Reading Room.
After a site was selected in November 1988, ground was broken for Research Building II in February 1990.
Pullen Hall was named for Richard Stanhope Pullen, who gave the original 62 acres of land to the university. Old Pullen Hall burned down in 1965.
After a site had been chosen in June, construction on the ABB building began in December 1990.
The new College of Textiles building on Centennial Campus opened its doors in 1991. The new building included computer facilities, heavy machinery processing laboratories, classrooms, meeting spaces, administrative offices, and the Burlington Textiles Library.
The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS) established the Science House to provide hands-on science opportunities to K-12 students. The Science House later expanded to a main office on Centennial Campus and five satellite offices throughout the state.
The Women's Center opened with Jan Rogers as its coordinator. Rogers began the Women's Leadership Education and Action Program (LEAP), which aimed to enhance the experience of women in fields such as math, science, and engineering.
In conjunction with the move of the College of Textiles, the Burlington Textile Library moved to Centennial Campus and became the first library unit on the new campus. The library remained in the College of Textiles complex until December 2012 when the collections were moved into the Hunt Library.
Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) moved into Centennial Campus and became the first corporate tenant there in July 1991. In 1992, ABB became the university's first industrial partner on Centennial Campus.
The installation of a new irrigation system in the lawn next to the Student Center Annex, later called Witherspoon Student Center, resulted in a cut gas line and forced the evacuation of Harris Hall, Pullen Hall, and the Student Center Annex.
The Visual Arts Center opened in the Talley Student Center. The arts center later became known as the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.
The Casey Aquatic Center, also called the Carmichael Natatorium, was added onto Carmichael Gymnasium. Willis R. Casey was head swimming coach and later Athletics Director from 1969 to 1986.
Fountain Dining Hall was built in 1982 and named for Dr. Alvin Marcus Fountain, professor of English for 46 years.
At the corner of Western Boulevard and Gorman Street, the Alumni Centennial Gateway was a steel wall 18 feet high and 128 feet long. The gateway marked the entrance to the western part of campus.
After the site was chosen in April 1992, construction on the building began in February 1993.
The National Weather Service established a Forecast Office in Research Building III and became the first government partner at Centennial Campus.
The Textile Protection and Comfort Center, within the College of Textiles on Centennial Campus, provided a facility for testing the performance of various textile materials.
The building formerly known as the Student Center Annex was dedicated to honor Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon. It became the first building on campus named after an African American. Dr. Witherspoon earned his PhD in botany from NC State in 1971, making him the second African American student to receive a PhD from NC State. He joined the faculty as an instructor of botany and eventually held the following posts: full professor, assistant dean, Acting Dean and ... More
Department laboratory space expanded to occupy part of the Constructed Facilities Laboratory on Centennial Campus. The lab became a hub of collaboration between the civil engineering department and private and government entities to develop and evaluate the performance of new products and innovative structural systems. The facility included an environmental chamber used to test large-scale structural components subjected to severe environmental conditions, such as ... More
A campus street was named for Katharine Stinson, the first woman to graduate from NC State's School of Engineering. Katharine Stinson Drive, formerly North Yarbrough Drive, was one of the longest streets on campus.
Partners Building I construction began in August 1995, and staff moved into the building in January 1997.
The 1.9 miles Centennial Parkway access road opened at a cost of approximately $5 million.
The Liquid Order Plaza, adjacent to the Monteith Research Center on Centennial Campus, was designed by artist Jun Kaneko.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena, located next to Carter-Finley Stadium, which was being built as the new home of NC State nen's basketball and the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. This became the RBC Center and later PNC Arena.
The Student Health Center building housed medical clinics, health education, mental health services and disability services.
Development of the North Shore condomium community began.
The NC State men's basketball team beat Georgia, 67-63, in their first game at the PNC Arena (formerly known as the Entertainment and Sports Arena and the RBC Center).
2000s
North Carolina voters approved the Higher Education Facilities Financing Act. NC State's portion of the bond package, more than $468 million, funded four dozen construction projects on campus, including new classrooms and laboratories, as well as major renovations of older buildings.
After construction began in 1997, the Centennial Magnet Middle School opened in August 2000.
The state of North Carolina transferred Spring Hill House (ca. 1820) and approximately 130 acres from Dorothea Dix Hospital to NC State. In February 2001, the Board of Trustees approved the addition of the Spring Hill District, or Precinct, to Centennial Campus. The Japan Center moved into Spring Hill House in June 2001.
The Hill of Beans coffee bar opened in the D. H. Hill Jr. Library.
Originally known as the Flex Building, the Varsity Research Building served as swing space during a ten year construction campaign. It later housed various research units.
The Wendell H. Murphy Football Center was opened and named after alumnus Wendell Murphy. Murphy graduated with a BS in Agricultural Education in 1960. He later served in the North Carolina House of Representatives and the NC Senate. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the NC governor. In 1999, he received the Watauga Medal, NC State University's highest honor. He was a Wolfpack Club member for more than 50 years, and he served as president of its ... More
The Fox Science Teaching Laboratory opened as a new undergraduate chemistry lab facility for students.
The J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center was completed in 2004 in honor of previous men's and women's tennis head coach J.W. Isenhour, who coached from 1968 to 1981.
This building was funded through the Bonds for Education program.
Wolf Village Housing Complex provided housing for upperclassmen on campus.
NC State opened its golf short game practice facility at the University Club.
The Joyner Visitor Center was named for E. Carroll Joyner, an alumnus and honorary degree recipient. He received the Watauga medal and was director of the NC State Foundation, which was founded for prospective students and their families, as well as other visitors.
The Engineering Graduate Research Center was renamed after Larry Monteith, chancellor of NC State from 1989 to 1998.
This building was funded through the Bonds for Education program.
The William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation moved into its new facility in November 2005. It was established in 2003.
The Block "S" on the Brickyard was changed to include the "N" and "C." Previously, it had the letter "S," which caused Chancellor Oblinger to say, "It looks like this is Stanford."
The Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center opened on the southern shore of Lake Raleigh
The North Carolina General Assembly appropriated funding for the planning of the new James B. Hunt Jr. Library to be built on Centennial Campus.
Anchored by the College of Veterinary Medicine, the CBC was located on the corner of Hillsborough Street and Blue Ridge Road. It was home to the Randall B. Terry, Jr. Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center, more than 60 corporate and government partners, and 73 academic units.
The addition significantly increased the amount of office and classroom space for the College of Natural Resources.
A major renovation of the east wing of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library was completed, featuring the Learning Commons, the Conservatory, the Special Collections Reading Room, the Exhibit Gallery, and a Preservation Lab. The opening of the newly refurbished space coincided with the fifty-second anniversary of the dedication of the original building in 1955.
The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) was established on Centennial Campus. The facility allowed for simulation of biopharmaceutical products and packaging in a sterile environment.
The softball season opened for the first time at the newly constructed Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium.
Racist and threatening graffiti directed at President-elect Barack Obama was found in the Free Expression Tunnel. The threats received international media attention and the Secret Service was called to investigate. The four students responsible were identified, admitted to the act, and issued an anonymous public apology. In response to the incident, Chancellor Oblinger established the Campus Culture Task Force Committee to discuss methods of improving the campus ... More
SAS Hall was dedicated as the new home of the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics. The 119,000 square-foot building housed state-of-the-art classrooms, computer labs, tutorial centers and meeting and study space for students and faculty.
The Center, originally called the Centennial Science Center, housed the FREEDM Center, as well as office and lab space on Centennial Campus.
Poole was founder of Waste Industries USA, and he contributed $3 million to the project.
2010s
College of Design Dean Marvin Malecha led the design effort.
The trio of bronze wolf sculptures were created by artist Michael Stutz.
This building was built with 80 labs and 2 wind tunnels, and it had the first green roof on Centennial Campus.
The new chancellor's residence replaced the one on Hillsborough Street, which then became the Gregg Museum.
The Innovation Cafe provided engineering and textiles students with a new eating option on Centennial Campus.
Greek Village reopened with the newly constructed Kappa Delta house. Redevelopment of Greek Village began in 2008 when the aging buildings were demolished.
The Gregg Museum of Art & Design temporarily moved off-campus to Brickhaven, near the Raulston Arboretum, while the Old Chancellor's Residence space was prepared for it.
The library was named in honor of former four-term NC Governor and NC State alumnus James B. Hunt Jr. The new building housed the Institute for Emerging Issues.
Research Building I was renamed after Bruce Poulton, 10th chancellor of NC State (1982-1989). The university acquired Centennial Campus during his term in office.
The six-building complex was built to accommodate approximately 1,200 graduate and upper-division students, and it was the first LEED-certified residence hall at the university.
With new construction and remodeling, Phase I of the new Talley Student Union opened with four new dining options and the Talley Market.
Immediately after the dedication, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library won the AIA National Award and the AIA/ALA Library Building Award. In 2014, the library won the ALA Library Interior Design Award and the AIA Education Facility Design Award. It later garnered additional awards and was featured in Architecture magazine. Time magazine called it the "library of the future."
New development began in the North Shore condominium community.
The renovated space provided offices for the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity, the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, Multicultural Student Affairs, Greek Life, and the University Graduate Student Association.
The museum reopened in the former chancellor's residence, which included a significant addition to the building.
The hotel opened with 90 king-sized rooms, 70 double-double rooms, 3 suites, a bar, a full-service restaurant, and eight meeting rooms.
2020s
The Wellness and Recreation Center opened in Carmichael Gymnasium after a five year renovation.
Fitts-Woolard Hall opened as a 225,000 square-foot engineering innovation building. Fitts-Woolard Hall brought the College of Engineering together on Centennial Campus by serving as the home for the Dean’s Administration; the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering; and the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and System Engineering.
A major renovation of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library was completed by architectural firm Lord Aeck Sargent and the Libraries in fall 2020. The renovation included the addition of the Academic Success Center and new innovative and immersive spaces.
Daniels Hall was renamed 111 Lampe Drive due to Daniels’ strong ties to white supremacy.
CALS dedicated the new Plant Sciences building on Centennial Campus. This building was created to support the research and teaching mission of the Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI).
The Oval, an open area on Centennial Campus surrounded by engineering buildings and the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, was designated as the university’s 10th hallowed place.