South College
South College
South College was completed in 1848-49. It was identical to Mason Hall, and provided space needed for a chemical and medical laboratory, recitation rooms, and housing for students.
Mason Hall and South College were designed solely for dormitories, with instruction for students to be conducted under a tutorial system. The immediate necessity for space, however, reduced the dormitory function to three-fourths of each building. The other fourth was devoted to lecture and recitation rooms. Mason Hall housed a chapel, library, and rooms for the Mineralogical Cabinet. South College provided rooms for the two literary societies.
Mason Hall and South College were designed solely for dormitories, with instruction for students to be conducted under a tutorial system. The immediate necessity for space, however, reduced the dormitory function to three-fourths of each building. The other fourth was devoted to lecture and recitation rooms. Mason Hall housed a chapel, library, and rooms for the Mineralogical Cabinet. South College provided rooms for the two literary societies.
 |
 |
This is believed to be a room in South College
used by the student literary societies.
The University of Michigan Campus by Jasper Cropsey - 1855
University of Michigan campus from the northeast The academic uses of Mason Hall and South College varied from time to time:
- The Chemical Laboratory for Dr. Silas Douglas was set up in Mason Hall, probably in 1844. In 1848 it was moved to South College, where it remained until the completion of the first Laboratory Building (eventually known as the Medical Building) in 1850.
- The first professorship in engineering was established in 1853, and much of the nonlaboratory instruction in this subject was given in South College until 1890.
- The Law Department also had quarters in South College .
- In 1861 a large room on the ground floor of South College was given over to military drill.
- After removal of the engineering courses to the east Professors’ House on South University Avenue in 1891, South College appears to have been devoted largely to classrooms, particularly in the natural sciences.
- The Treasurer’s offices also occupied space in South College.
