Then and Now: A Photographic History of Rutgers’ College Avenue Campus, Part 2

Muckgers
Muckgers
Published in
14 min readApr 30, 2014

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This is the second in a series of photographic essays documenting the changes Rutgers University’s College Avenue campus has undergone since as far back as the 19th century. Find out more about the series and the origin of these photos in part one, linked below the contributor’s name.

By Elijah Reiss

1. Gateway to Old Queens, 1918

Looking across Somerset St from the Old Queen’s campus at Bleecker Place (now Voorhees Hall) in 1918. The Class of 1902 gateway stands across the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (now New Jersey Hall) to this day. Traffic now fills Somerset St throughout the work day due to the route of Rutgers buses.

2. Cook House, Late 1800's

The George Hammell Cook House (Riverstede) on the corner of George St. and Seminary Place built in the 1860’s. Seen here in the late 1800’s, with Van Nest Hall (prior to its infamous fire) on the left. This Victorian brownstone was the residence of George Hammell Cook (1818–1889), the famous Rutgers agricultural innovator that Cook College (now Cook Campus) was named after. William Steele Demarest, the only Rutgers alumni to be the school’s president, died here in 1956. He had lived there for quite some time. This house was formerly used by Rutgers for a number of groups including the Raritan Club, Phi Gamma Delta, the Partisan Review, the Rutgers Religious Ministry, and career services offices. Currently it houses offices for the School of Social Work. Its architecture has remained constant since its construction.

3. Old Queens from Hamilton St., Early 1900's

Old Queens and Class of 1902 Memorial Gateway seen from Bleecker Place (now Voorhees Mall) seen in the early 1900’s. Old Queen’s was Queen’s College’s (now Rutgers University’s) first building, and construction began in 1808. Due to financial difficulties and the outbreak of the War of 1812 where the college closed, the building was not finished until 1825. That year, the money for the cupola was donated by Stephen Van Rensellaer and it was built on. Even though the building was not complete, classes started being held there as early as 1811. Designed by John McComb Jr., the brownstone building is regarded by architectural experts as one of the best examples of federal architecture. The money for the cupola was donated by Stephen Van Rensellaer in 1825. Originally, the building housed every aspect of the college including offices, classrooms, and dining. Since the first photo was taken, air conditioning units have been added to some of the building’s windows and trees have come and gone around it. Currently the building houses the office of the president and other elites in the university’s administration.

The Class of 1902 Memorial Gateway, erected in 1904, opens Queens Campus up from Hamilton St. As the old myth goes, if a student walks under the gate more than once before graduating, they will not graduate. The brownstone columns along with the metal arch were restored within the last ten years, hence why they look pristine today. A wheelchair accessible ramp leading into Hamilton St has since been added. Also, a brownstone wall was added in the 1910’s around the campus, going down George and Hamilton St.

4. Old Queens From the Front of Queens Campus, 1930

Old Queens in 1930 seen from the front of Queens Campus. Vines are no longer on the building and air conditioning units have been placed in some windows. Cars are now parked in front of the building daily. The exit on the building’s right is still there, but is being blocked by a white van in the current photo. The exterior of the building itself has seen almost no changes since its cupola was added in 1825.

5. Old Queens Seen From the Front of Queens Campus, 1910's

Old Queens in the 1910’s seen from the front of Queens Campus. Flag poles now stand across from the front of the building and the dirt path has been turned into an asphalt driveway. A path ended by two streetlights now crosses through the grass leading up the building’s entrance.

6. Gateway to Old Queens, 1910's

The Class of 1883 Memorial Gateway on the corner of Somerset and George St, erected in 1907, seen in the 1910’s. In the background from left to right are Old Queens, Kirkpatrick Chapel, and the President’s House. This was the main photo spot for each graduating class to gather for many years. It is now a busy intersection, but it is still the only way to enter the campus via a car. The gates themselves have not changed. A small gatehouse has since been added where visitors and guests can check in with an attendant.

7. Kirkpatrick Chapel, 1890's

Kirkpatrick Chapel, the Gothic Revival chapel on Old Queen’s campus, was built in 1873 by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. Seen in the 1890’s, the top floor originally housed Rutgers’ library. The building exterior has not been altered since it was built, save many cornerstones with class years engraved into them. To the right of the original photo is the President’s House, built in 1842, and demolished in 1944 after the Great Atlantic Hurricane extensively damaged it.

8. Geology Hall, Early 1900's

Geological Hall (now Geology Hall) seen in the early 1900’s. Built in 1872 by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (the first president of Rutgers’ great-grandson), this building has been a longtime staple of the Old Queen’s campus. The building currently houses the famous 10,000 year-old mastodon in its third floor Geology Museum. The building also has various offices. The exterior of the building has been constant since it was built. In front of the building now reside three flag poles and parking space for Old Queen’s. (Photo courtesy of libraries.rutgers.edu)

9. The Steps of Geology Hall, Early 1900's

The steps of Geological Hall (now Geology Hall) in the early 1900’s. Vines no longer cover the building and air conditioning units have since been placed in some of the windows. (Photo courtesy of libraries.rutgers.edu)

10. The Observatory, 1901

View of the Daniel S. Schanck Observatory from George St in 1901. The President’s House can be seen to the left. Built in 1865, this two-story Greek Revival building was Rutgers’ first science facility. It was designed by Willard Smith and modeled after the ancient Tower of the Winds in Athens, Greece. A project totaling a modern equivalent price of $86,845, New York City businessman Daniel S. Schanck, donated $33,802 (modern USD) to the cause. In return, Rutgers dedicated the building to him. Complete with telescopes, clocks, and a revolving roof, the observatory was highly advanced for its time. Unfortunately as time went by, New Brunswick light pollution and the building’s proximity to growing trees, made astronomical observations here nearly impossible. The facility was closed for usage in the 1960’s and faced decades of vandalism and decay. Luckily, the building was restored in 2012 and rumor has it that the secret Cap and Skull Society will be using the space next year.

The look of the building has not changed since it was built, but the surrounding area has changed. The President’s House was demolished in 1944, making Kirkpatrick Chapel now visible. A parking lot was put in its place. Also, car meters have been added on the streets. (Photo courtesy of libraries.rutgers.edu)

11. Van Nest Hall, 1910

Van Nest Hall, seen in the 1910’s from the front of the Old Queens Campus. Built in 1845 by Nicholas Wyckoff, it is the third-oldest building at Rutgers. For many years, the second and third floors were occupied by the English and Education Departments. The floor was also once home to Peithessophian and Philoclean, literary societies of the nineteenth century. Vines no longer cover this building and the stairs outside of the entrance have been changed. A fire escaped has since been added to the building’s left and a streetlight now stands near the front of the entrance. Currently, the building houses various offices, none of which are departmental.

12. Van Nest Hall, 1848

Van Nest Hall, seen in 1848 from the front of the Old Queens Campus. The building was built in 1845 with two floors and a rooftop balcony. In 1893, Ann Van Nest Bussing (the daughter of Abraham Van Nest, who the building was named after) donated money to have the building remodeled. The rooftop balcony was removed and replaced with a third floor. In addition, a porch was added to the front of the building which remains to this day. The land surrounding the building is now a busy street with various buildings, unlike the first image’s scene. (Image: Pinterest)

13. Winants Hall, 1910's

A postcard from the 1910’s of the corner of Somerset St and College Avenue. On the corner stands Winants Hall, the college’s first dormitory building built in 1890 by Van Campen Taylor. Visually appealing on the inside and out, the building was the sole dormitory of Rutgers College until 1915, when Ford Hall was built down the road. In the late 1940’s, the building was converted into office space for departments, administrative staff, and faculty. Although the building is over 120 years old, it looks almost perfectly clean and well-kept in the present day. This is because a $9.4 million restoration took place on the building’s 100th anniversary in 1990. Currently, the building houses various alumni and fundraising offices. The Class of 1882 Gateway, erected in 1907 stands on the corner to the side of Winants to this day. The cobblestone streets are now made of asphalt, and there are never any farm animals seen walking around.

14. Alexander Johnston Hall, 1950's

Alexander Johnston Hall, built in 1830, seen here in the 1950’s on the corner of College Avenue and Somerset St. The third floor was added in 1869. This building was the original location of Rutgers Preparatory School. Vines have since been removed from the exterior and air conditioning units have been added to some of the windows. It is currently used as offices for the Communications and Marketing department.

15. New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s Hertzog Hall, Before It Became Zwemer Hall, Early 1900's

New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s Hertzog Hall built in 1856, seen here on a postcard at the turn of the century. This beautiful Grecian building was the crown jewel of Seminary Place and the heart of the NBTS. The steps leading up to the entrance were in perfect line with William the Silent on Bleecker Place (now Voorhees Mall). It was demolished in 1966 and was replaced by Zwemer Hall which is set for demolition in 2015 to make way for a pair for lecture hall buildings/SAS offices. Interestingly enough, Holy Hill was where British troops were stationed during the capture of New Brunswick during the American Revolution.

16. Gardner Sage Library

The Gardner A. Sage Library on Seminary Place, built from 1873 to 1875, seen in the 1950’s. This building which has elements of a fourth-century Romanesque basilica and a “Victorian book-hall” was built by German-American architect, Detlef Lienau. It was built for the New Brunswick Theological Seminary and was aptly placed to compliment Suydam Hall (built at the same time) which stood on the other side of Hertzog Hall (which rested between the two). Because Suydam Hall fell victim to the wrecking ball in 1966, along with Hertzog Hall, (and in 2013, the four late 1800’s departmental houses on Seminary Place which were removed for Devco construction) the library is now the only part of the “original” Holy Hill campus for the NBTS. The library is open to Seminary students as well as Rutgers students, and contains more than 150,000 books and 10,000 bound periodicals. Some books date back to the 1400’s. The exterior of the building has remained constant throughout its lifetime. Currently the construction of the new NBTS building on the corner of College Avenue and Seminary Place, is affecting the view of the front of the library. The original front entrance will remain closed until construction is over. (Photo courtesy of libraries.rutgers.edu)

17. New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s Hertzog Hall, Before It Became Zwemer Hall, 1870's

The New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s Hertzog Hall seen in the 1870’s from the area that is currently Seminary Place. The building was built in 1856 and was controversially demolished in 1966 to be replaced by Zwemer Hall in 1967. It originally housed dorm rooms, dining space, and classrooms for the entire Seminary. Recently, Holy Hill was dug into for the ongoing construction process. Zwemer Hall is set for demolition in 2015. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

18. Holly Hill, 1880's

A postcard with the view of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s Holy Hill from the 1880’s, looking from Bleecker Place (now Voorhees Mall). From left to right are the Gardner A. Sage Library built in 1875, Hertzog Hall built in 1856, Suydam Hall built in 1875, and 3 Seminary Place built in the late 1800’s. Gardner A. Sage Library still stands, Hertzog and Suydam Hall were demolished in 1966 to be replaced by Zwemer Hall, and the mansion of 3 Seminary Place on the far-right of the original image was used by the Philosophy Department until September 2013 when it was demolished to make way for a pair of lecture hall buildings/SAS offices. The open space on the land donated by James Neilson that turned into Voorhees Mall is now covered in trees. It is the most popular place to enjoy the outdoors on campus and it is where many students have their classes. William the Silent, erected in 1928 stands in the middle of the current frame. The Graduate School of Education sits at the right. Holy Hill itself has recently been torn at to make way for more construction.

19. Seminary Pl. and College Ave, Early 1900's

The corner of Seminary Place and College Avenue in the early 1900’s. 25 and 23 Seminary Place were mansions built in the late 1800’s to house the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. They were identical to 1 and 3 Seminary Place which were at the end of the street. Next to them are Gardner A. Sage Library and Hertzog Hall. The houses were demolished in June 2013 to make way for the new NBTS building that is currently being built. A fence now blocks the sidewalk for what was once a quiet street. The library is all that remains from the original image.

20. 1 Seminary Pl., 1920's

A postcard of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s Holy Hill seen in the 1920’s. From left to right are Hertzog Hall, Suydam Hall, and 1 Seminary Place. Hertzog and Suydam were demolished in 1966 after an architect calculated that it would cost twice as much to restore the buildings than it would be to destroy them and build a new facility. Suydam Hall was built in 1873 by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh who also designed Kirkpatrick Chapel and Geological Hall. The building housed a gymnasium and various classrooms. The building’s main benefactor, James Suydam donated funds to build the building because he was concerned with student health. In return, the building was named after him. His statue stood on Holy Hill long after his hall. It was removed in September 2013 when construction on new buildings began and its current status is unknown. It could be in storage or it could have been destroyed. Once the new NBTS is completed, perhaps it will return. The buildings seen in the original postcard are all gone now. Zwemer Hall was built in 1967 as an all-purpose building for the NBTS. It is set for demolition in 2015.

21. Zwemer Hall, 1970's

The New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s Zwemer Hall, built in 1967, seen in the 1970’s looking up Holy Hill. After the demolition of Hertzog and Suydam Hall, NBTS trustees decided to build a modern one-story building that would include a chapel, faculty offices, and classrooms. The hill has recently been stripped of much of its grass in preparation for demolition in 2015. The building is being demolished to make way for new College Avenue Campus construction by Devco.

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