Hauptgebaude, (; 'main building') also known as Old Main, was the predecessor to

Elmhurst University Elmhurst University is a private university in Elmhurst, Illinois. It has a tradition of service-oriented learning and an affiliation with the United Church of Christ. The university changed its name from Elmhurst College on July 1, 2020. Hist ...

in Elmhurst,

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

. The three-story building was constructed in 1878 as a gymnasium style of school, reflecting the

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

heritage of the local residents. The new building allowed the school to increase its enrollment to 103 students in its first year. Classes in the Hauptgebaude were solely taught in

until 1917. In 1919, the school became accredited as a

junior college A junior college (sometimes referred to colloquially as a juco, JuCo or JC) is a post-secondary educational institution offering vocational training designed to prepare students for either skilled trades and technical occupations and workers in su ...

. Starting in 1928, the school added additional buildings to the campus. The school began admitting female students in 1930, and received accreditation as a four-year college in 1934. Old Main functioned as the school's administration building until the 1950s. It was renovated in 1920 after a major fire, and again in 1976 and 1995. At one time or another, Old Main housed the science labs, the cafeteria, a pipe organ, and a Fumatorium (smoking room) where students in the early 1900s smoked, talked and played chess. Along with Irion Hall, Old Main even served as the library (in an unofficial capacity) before Memorial Library was built. Old Main now houses faculty offices, art studios and general classrooms and is listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

References

* A History of Elmhurst College Elmhurst, Illinois National Register of Historic Places in DuPage County, Illinois School buildings completed in 1878 University and college buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois University and college academic buildings in the United States 1878 establishments in Illinois {{DuPageCountyIL-NRHP-stub