University Hall engraving, 1873

Nearly 140 years ago, the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College opened its doors.

On September 17, 1873, seven faculty members greeted the roughly two dozen students who showed up to get a college degree. (Reports vary between 17 and 25 on how many students there actually were.) The college’s sole building—University Hall—was still under construction, with an unfinished roof, no interior doors, and no more than a few benches for students.

There was no formal opening ceremony, nor a dedication. Therefore, it is not surprising that its opening went mostly unnoticed. However, one Ohio newspaper did write, perhaps a bit prophetically, “They say a small beginning makes a good ending.” Several years later the college changed its name to The Ohio State University, and the rest is history, as they say.

First Faculty composite, 1873

Daily Ohio State Journal, announcing opening of college, September 19, 1873

University Hall, May 1874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1876 Campus map