Western Oregon University

Visit and experience one of Oregon's oldest universities through it's historic architecture.

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Western Oregon University

Monmouth, Oregon 97361, United States

Created By: City of Monmouth - Historic Commission

Tour Information

Whether you know Western Oregon University as Western Oregon State College (1981), Oregon College of Education (1939), Oregon Normal School (1911) or Monmouth University (1856), one thing remains constant - the beautiful park-like setting of one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast. Take a stroll through campus, just one block north of Downtown Monmouth, to learn more about the historic buildings found at WOU.


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What You'll See on the Tour

The first and second floors were built in 1936 with the third floor added in 1947. This Moderne style building was designed by Portland’s architect John V. Bennes, who designed several other buildings on campus. The building is named forÂ... Read more
Built in 1871, with three later additions in 1917, this Gothic Revival style building used to have a large bell tower, which was blown down in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm. The auditorium was also destroyed. Campbell Hall is the oldest landm... Read more
The tree was planted in 1887 when the University was known as the Oregon State Normal School. It is one of the tallest living decorated holiday trees in the USA. In 2010, the tree measured 125 feet tall. The tradition of lighting the tree ... Read more
This building was completed in 1913 as the College gymnasium and recreation center. A.E. Doyle of Portland designed the Tudor Style barn-like structure to match the architecture of other buildings in the inner quad. Maple Hall is now the ca... Read more
Built as a residence hall 1917, it housed chosen women who met certain academic and social requirements. John V. Bennes, a familiar architect to the College, designed The Cottage in the Old English Norman Style. 
This Tudor Style building was constructed in 1912 with additions built in 1917 and 1921. The building was named in honor of Jessica Todd, the first Dean of Women at the school. Todd Hall was the first dormitory on campus. The building now h... Read more
This Jacobean Style building was constructed in 1915 to replace a wooden structure from the 1880s, which at the time housed Monmouth's only school. In 1986, the building use changed from training future teachers to the instructional technol... Read more
This Victorian Style house was built circa 1880 and was purchased by the Gentle family in 1914 with 150 acres of land. Catharine Gentle donated the house and land to Western Oregon State College Development Foundation in 1981. The house is ... Read more

 

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