The Campus that Never Was

by Sam Dunnington, '14

Though the physical layout of Grinnell often feels like one of the College's most stable components, construction and demolition occur relatively frequently. During my brief stay here, I've seen central campus get plowed up for a new ampitheater, new paths being laid across the campus, and the old Physical Education Center get demolished by front-end loaders. What's even more intriguing than the  physical changes that do happen, however, are those that don't. I recently discovered architectural sketches for several new campus buildings, none of which were ever brought to fruition.

Below is part of the sketch of a new men's dormitory. Note the heavily ornamented loggia and the the balustrades along the edge of the roof.

The image below is a drawing of a new administration building that would have been placed along 8th avenue.

Unfortunately, we don't have dates for these drawings, or any information about the firm that might have produced them. If you know anything about them, please let us know, and be sure to come by the Iowa Room soon to see them in person!