University of Washington
Washington Territory was carved out of Oregon Territory on March 2, 1853. Two townships of land were set aside for university purposes. The Territorial Legislature created two universities on January 25, 1855 -- one located in Seattle and the second at Boisfort Plains in Lewis County. Failing to select the land and notifythe legislature, on January 28, 1858, the legislature united both universities at Cowlitz Farm Prairie in Lewis County and both townships were allotted to it. After making no progress for a second time, the legislature passed a third bill on January 28, 1861 relocating the Territorial University of Washington to Seattle.
In those days, institutions like the university, prison, capitol, etc. were "kept on wheels" in that they were often used as political bargaining chips. Such was the case with the University until Daniel Bagley convinced Joseph Foster (who introduced the 1861 bill to move the University) that Seattle should strive to keep the University. Arthur A. Denny wanted to "trade" the University for the state capitol in a few years. Bagley convinced Denny who then donated about 8.5 acres of land for the new University. Charles C. Terry and Edward Lander donated an additional 1.5 acres bringing the total gift up to the 10 acres required by the 1861 Act. These ten acres were located in downtown Seattle in the area around the site of the present-day Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
Wasting no time, a sum of $35,000 was allotted to clear the land and build three buildings (the University, the President's house, and a boarding house). School opened on November 4, 1861, with about 30 students in attendance. Asa Mercer was the first president and faculty of the new school. It was hardly a university, however, as the classes were essentially taught at the primary school-level. It continued this way for several years. Times were difficult as the Indian Wars of 1855-56 in eastern Washington Territory had just concluded and the Civil War was still in progress. In 1868, due to a lack of funds, the University closed and did not re-open until April 1869. Then, in early 1874 it again closed only to re-open in late 1874. In 1876, the University closed for a third time, but re-opened in the fall of 1877. It was still operating as a common school for all of these years. It wasn't until about 1882 that it began to take on a collegiate air.
With the coming of the Northern Pacific railroad, Seattle began to prosper. In 1889, Washington became the 42nd State to enter the Union. In June 1889 the Great Seattle Fire destroyed much of the city, but the University was not harmed. In 1893, the Great Northern railroad arrived in Seattle, further opening up business opportunities. With increasing population, it became apparent that the University had begun to out grow its present location. Thus, in January 1891, the University began to search for a new home.
The Move to a New Site
From three possible sites located by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the 341.76 acres located between Lakes Washington and Union was selected. An additional 100 acres were added when the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built -- lowering the lake by several feet. On March 7, 1891, the legislature approved the move from downtown. The cornerstone of the Administration Building (soon renamed Denny Hall ) was laid on July 4, 1894 and classes began on September 4, 1895. The cost of the new building was less than $150,000.
When the University moved to its new site, the original idea was to sell the 10 acres located downtown. However, with the Depression of 1893 this became impossible. Thus, for several years, the site was leased to the Seattle Public Schools and Library. The original territorial university building was wrecked around 1908 when Denny's Knoll was regraded. Professor Meany was largely responsible for saving the bell from the tower and the columns from the front of the original building. The former now rests in the belfry of Denny Hall, and the cedar columns (actually fiber glass "look-alikes" installed in 1958) grace Sylvan Theater. See UW Libraries No finer site for more information onthe University's early history.
Forestry Education Begins
The University Catalog for 1894-95 lists one course in General Forestry offered by the Department of Natural Sciences and presumably taught by Professor O. B. Johnson. This was probably the first course in forestry offered by the University. Professor Edmond S. Meany -- the first Instructor in Forestry at the University -- had his offices and taught a one semester course on Washington Forestry in Denny Hall starting in 1895. By 1896, Professor Meany's course was extended to two semesters and was offered through the Department of Terrestrial Physics and Geography. By 1897, the Department of Terrestrial Physics and Geography was disbanded and Professor Meany's position was changed to read "Professor of History and Lecturer in Forestry."He offered three forestry courses in the Department of Biology. By 1901, Professor Meany was no longer listed as an instructor in forestry in the Department of Biology. Instead, forestry was now offered through the Department of Forestry in the College of Liberal Arts and Professor Meany was its Head and sole professor.
In 1902, the second University building, Science Hall (now known as Parrington Hall was constructed. By 1907, it housed the fledgling forestry program. In 1905, the United States Forest Service established a Timber Testing Laboratory on the campus. This brought additional expertise to the forestry program and greatly expanded its horizons. Owing to its growing importance to the State and region, in 1907, the School of Forestry was formed with a biennial budget of $650. On September 7, 1907, ten students were enrolled. Since the School was viewed as the development of an existing program and not a new program there is no record that the Board of Regents ever gave its approval.
Nevertheless, Frances Garner Miller was appointed the first Dean and served from 1907-12. His starting salary was $2,000/year and in addition to being Dean, he also taught all of the courses. The School was expected to fulfill two purposes: (1) afford instruction in the principles and practice of forestry, and (2) to promote the interests of forestry in the state by encouraging the right use of forest resources. Forty-one students were enrolled, and a Master's program was started in 1908-09. The first Master's degree was granted in 1909 -- this student having entered in 1907 prior to the establishment of a Master's program! The Forest Club was established on December 12, 1908. Alpha Chapter of Xi Sigma Pi, the national forestry honorary, was also established in 1908. Also in 1908-09 the first short course in practical forestry was offered. In recognition of the growing student enrollment, (59 by 1909), Associate Professor Hugo T. Winkenwerder and Instructor William T. Andrews were hired in 1909.
In 1909 the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition was held on the site of the University of Washington. One of the more imposing buildings constructed was the Forestry Building or "Temple of Timber." It was called the world's largest log cabin and was 320 feet long, 46 feet wide, and two stories tall. Its 124 fir logs were 40 feet long and 5 feet in diameter and came from Snohomish County. Constructed as an exposition hall, the building was not well suited for instructional needs. Thus, the forestry program used the building sparingly, and moved from Science Hall (Parrington) into the Good Roads Building (another Alaska-Yukon-Pacific project) as its primary facility. The "Temple of Timber" became infested with insects and had to be torn down in the early 1930's.
References
- History of the State of Washington, Edmond S. Meany, Macmillan Co., NY, NY, 1909, Revised 1924
- Long Road Travelled, Henry Schmitz, Arboretum Foundation, University of Washington, Seattle, 1973.
- History of King County, C. B. Bagley, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago-Seattle, Vol. I, 1929.
