Davidson Hall
Built: 1921; architect, Proudfoot Bird & Rawson
Burned:1941
Rebuilt: 1942; architect, Buettler and Arnold
Departments housed in Davidson: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Midwest Plan Service
The agriculture engineering department was originally situated in the north wing of Old Botany, currently Catt Hall. The department soon outgrew its old quarters, requiring space to store equipment and conduct lab experiments. After a preliminary budget of $72,000 was approved by the college, the new agricultural engineering laboratory came into existence in 1921.
Davidson Hall began as a one-level structure with a large court in the center and entrances at each end. The building housed the gas engine laboratory and tractor. Plans included future additions of two more levels for department offices and classrooms.
In 1941, a major fire broke out at the northeast corner of the building. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was conducting corn storage research, and flames caused by a short circuit in equipment used to dry corn cobs destroyed the east and north wings.
Research labs, offices, and rooms for drafting, carpentry, and students were all destroyed. The only area that escaped damage was the large tractor and machinery lab in the northwest corner.
Within six months, replacement funds were made available for a new structure that would eventually combine features of the old building along with a second-story addition.
In 1975, the building was renamed Davidson Hall in honor of J. Brownlee Davidson, who served as head of agricultural engineering from 1919 to 1946.
View a panoramic scene that includes Davidson Hall
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