140 Years: The Stevens Campus, then and now
Andrew Scagnelli
Issue date: 1/29/10 Section: Campus News
Ever since Stevens was founded in 1870, campus has been in a near-constant state of renovation and construction. The newest addition, the Lawrence T. Babbio Center for Technology Managment, was opened in 2005, and replaces the Navy Building, a temporary structure for naval research constructed during World War II.
Likewise, residence halls have not been immune from renovation and change. The Stevens castle, until it was torn down, was the major residence for students on campus. Likewise the S.S. Stevens was the world's first "floating dormitory" that housed 150 freshmen. Davis Hall began housing women in 2004, and Hayden Hall in 2005. Major renovations include the opening of the River Terrace Suites, which came after gutting the four abandoned buildings on River Street north of Sixth Street. Jonas Hall was the first dorm to receive air conditioning, with a central system installed during its construction, while more recently Davis Hall had window units installed. Even Greek houses haven't remained the same: the site of the S. C. Williams Library used to be the location of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house.
The Stevens athletic facilities have seen more substantial changes than the other parts of campus. Walker Gym was constructed in 1916, and reopened recently after a major renovation and reconstruction. Newer athletic facilities have been repurposed from previous uses. Davis Field once held the first steam locomotive, but now exists as part of the DeBaun Athletic Field. Similarly, the Schaeffer Center used to be the Mott Field House.
The most visible change has been the Howe Center. The Castle, which was the private residence of the Stevens family, originally occupied Castle Point, and included such marvels as one of the world's largest free-standing circular staircases. After the Stevens family gave up the house to the school, it was used for administrative offices until the 1950s, when it was torn down to make room for the Howe Center. Even today, the Howe Center continues to evolve; in 2008, Pierce Dining Hall received a major renovation, and in 2009 plans were announced to move the student organization offices in Jacobus to a new wing of the Howe Center.
Likewise, residence halls have not been immune from renovation and change. The Stevens castle, until it was torn down, was the major residence for students on campus. Likewise the S.S. Stevens was the world's first "floating dormitory" that housed 150 freshmen. Davis Hall began housing women in 2004, and Hayden Hall in 2005. Major renovations include the opening of the River Terrace Suites, which came after gutting the four abandoned buildings on River Street north of Sixth Street. Jonas Hall was the first dorm to receive air conditioning, with a central system installed during its construction, while more recently Davis Hall had window units installed. Even Greek houses haven't remained the same: the site of the S. C. Williams Library used to be the location of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house.
The Stevens athletic facilities have seen more substantial changes than the other parts of campus. Walker Gym was constructed in 1916, and reopened recently after a major renovation and reconstruction. Newer athletic facilities have been repurposed from previous uses. Davis Field once held the first steam locomotive, but now exists as part of the DeBaun Athletic Field. Similarly, the Schaeffer Center used to be the Mott Field House.
The most visible change has been the Howe Center. The Castle, which was the private residence of the Stevens family, originally occupied Castle Point, and included such marvels as one of the world's largest free-standing circular staircases. After the Stevens family gave up the house to the school, it was used for administrative offices until the 1950s, when it was torn down to make room for the Howe Center. Even today, the Howe Center continues to evolve; in 2008, Pierce Dining Hall received a major renovation, and in 2009 plans were announced to move the student organization offices in Jacobus to a new wing of the Howe Center.
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