ca. 1921. Pacific Luthern College's (later University) first building dominates the landscape in 1921. Designed by architect August Heide, the cornerstone was laid in 1891, one year after the college was founded. Known first as "Old Main," the landmark structure was renamed Harstad Hall for the school's first president, the Rev. B. A. Harstad. (B5709)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1920-1930; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings--1920-1930;

ca. 1922. This is Harstad Hall, familarly known as "Old Main," in a photograph taken circa 1922. "Old Main" was the first building on the Pacific Lutheran College (later University) campus located at 12180 Park Ave. So., Parkland. Its cornerstone was laid in October of 1891. The building was renamed for the school's first president, Rev. Bjug Harstad, in 1960. It had a myriad of uses over the years including classrooms, administration offices, chapel, library, dining hall and dormitories. G40.1-142, TPL-474, BU-12762

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings--1920-1930; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1920-1930;

Pacific Lutheran College President O.A. Tingelstad poses with the Swedish granite cornerstone for the new library building at the October 23, 1937 cornerstone laying ceremony. The cornerstone reads in Latin : "Verbum Dei Manet in Aeternum MCMXXXVII." The Latin phrase translates as "The word of God remains in Eternity 1937." The building was designed by Emanuel J. Bresemann and Heath, Gove & Bell, Architects. The library has been remodeled and is now known as Xavier Hall. (T. Times 10/25/1937, pg. 3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Cornerstone laying--Parkland--1930-1940; Tingelstad, O.A.; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940;

The cornerstone laying ceremony of the new library building at Pacific Lutheran College occurred on October 23, 1937. A crowd gathers near the partially constructed building to listen to a public address. Other college and town buildings are visible in the background. (T. Times 10/25/1937, pg. 3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Cornerstone laying--Parkland--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940;

Pacific Lutheran College's noted Choir of the West sings at the cornerstone laying ceremony for the new library building on October 23, 1937. P.L.C. choir director leads the college choir composed of men and women students. (T. Times 10/25/1937, pg. 3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Choirs (Music); Cornerstone laying--Parkland--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940;

The cornerstone laying ceremony of the new library building on the Pacific Lutheran College campus took place on Saturday, October 23, 1937. A crowd gathered around the partially completed brick building to listen to the college's "Choir of the West." At this time, the school had an enrollment of 700 and was a Christian Junior College and Normal School headed by Dr. O.A. Tingelstad. This building was replaced in 1967 by the Mortvedt Library; it was remodeled and is now known as Xavier Hall. (T.Times 10/25/1937, pg. 3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Cornerstone laying--Parkland--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940; Choirs (Music);

The cornerstone laying for the new library structure at Pacific Lutheran College on October 23, 1937. A group of 20 notables pose for a portrait beside the building on the speakers' platform. Building design by Emanuel J. Bresemann, Architect, and the architectural firm of Heath, Gove and Bell. It was built for $104,000 debt free and was dedicated in 1939. Soon outgrown by the expanding student body, the building was remodeled and is now known as Xavier Hall. (T. Times 10/25/1937, pg. 3, see photograph caption in paper for names.)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Cornerstone laying--Parkland--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1930-1940;

Laying of Cornerstone at Pacific Lutheran College. This view of the administrative offices, taken on June 10, 1947, shows a woman working at her desk and a student at a counter receiving assistance from staff. (T.Times, 6/11/1947, p.5)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Offices--Parkland--1940-1950; Students--Parkland--1940-1950;

PLC football players, Metcalf, Times. The football players practice blocking with the help of their coach, Marv Harshman, at Pacific Lutheran College in September of 1947. Norm Cromarty, #68, Reid Ponton, #59, and Dick Mason, #65, watch as Dick Weatherman, #80, throws the block.

Football players--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Harshman, Marv; Cromarty, Norm; Ponton, Reid; Mason, Dick; Weatherman, Dick;

PLC football players, Metcalf, Times. The scrimmage line during football practice at Pacific Lutheran College in September of 1947. Marv Tommervik was head football coach in 1947.

Football players--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Football--Parkland--1940-1950; Coaching (Athletics)--Parkland--1940-1950;

PLC football players, Metcalf, Times. Three players run interference for their ball-carrying teammate at Pacific Lutheran College in September of 1947. Harold Schrupp, #55, played end. Ted Kauth, #58, was a quarterback. Duane Rose, #56, played halfback. The player between Schrupp and Kauth was not identified. No helmets were worn during this drill. TPL-9964

Football players--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Football--Parkland--1940-1950; Schrupp, Harold; Kauth, Ted; Rose, Duane;

PLC football players, Metcalf, Times. Jack Carbone played guard on the Pacific Lutheran College football team in 1947.

Football players--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Carbone, Jack;

Dr. Seth Eastvold (right), president of Pacific Lutheran College, along with his wife Enga and Board of Trustees chairman Dr. H.L. Foss of Seattle are gathered together to dedicate the new science hall in October of 1947. The building dedication ceremony will include many guest speakers and a performance by PLC's famous "Choir of the West." PLC had also recently dedicated their new student union building. (Saga, 1948).

College administrators; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Building dedications--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Eastvold, Seth C.; Eastvold, Enga; Eastvold, Seth C.--Family; Foss, H.L.; Foss, H.L.--Family;

Pacific Lutheran College had just dedicated their new $200,000 Science Hall in 1947. Classes were now being taught in the building, which had modern, fully equipped labs available in the classrooms. The new building enabled students to get hands on experience in the science field. View of students in a classroom with microscopes and lab tables, the instructor is Verner L. Johnson (standing, left), Master of Science, Biology. Professor Johnson spent two years at PLC from 1946-48 following his release from service at Fort Lewis. He went on to receive a Ph.D. in zoology at Washington State College (later named Washington State University) in 1953 and joined the faculty at the school's College of Veterinary Medicine the same year. Verner L. Johnson passed away in 1964. (Saga, 1948) (Additional information provided by a reader) TPL-10189

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Laboratories--Parkland; Classrooms--Parkland; Science--Parkland; Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Scientific equipment--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Johnson, Verner L.;

College bookstore, PLC, Mrs. Nesrig. This January, 1948, view of the interior of the bookstore at Pacific Lutheran College shows shelves full of books and students standing at the two counters talking with staff about different items. One student is holding a PLC pennant.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Bookstores--Parkland--1940-1950; Students--Parkland--1940-1950;

May Day festivities at Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran College, Miss Helen Hedine. May Queen Catherine Breum leads the recessional at the close of May Day festivities at Pacific Lutheran College.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Breum, Catherine; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1940-1950; Celebrations--Parkland--1940-1950;

May Day festivities at Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran College, Miss Helen Hedine. Four sets of four young women each perform a folk dance wearing dark skirts and white blouses during the May Day festivities at Pacific Lutheran College in 1949. Queen Catherine Breum, seated on her throne on a dais, and her court watch from one end of the gymnasium.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Folk dancing--Parkland--1940-1950; Celebrations--Parkland--1940-1950; Students--Parkland--1940-1950;

May Day festivities in 1949 at Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran College, Miss Helen Hedine. May Queen Catherine Breum and her court are shown on the dais at one end of the qymnasium. The young women and girls are dressed in floor-length, light-colored gowns and the crown bearer, Tom Tommervik, also wears a light-colored shirt and slacks. The two seated flower girls have been identified as Margaret Ronning and Judy Leraas, daughters of PLC professors. The little girl standing next to Queen Catherine has been identified as Anne Malmin Berg. The dais has been decorated with potted palms and blooming boughs. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Celebrations--Parkland--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ronning, Margaret; Leraas, Judy; Berg, Anne Malmin; Tommervik, Tom;

May Day festivities at Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran College, Miss Helen Hedine. Catherine Breum of East Stanwood was crowned May Queen at ceremonies May 6, 1949. Two members of her royal court, train bearer Anne Malmin Berg and crown bearer Tom Tommervik, stand by her as she is crowned. She is wearing a floor-length, white eyelet gown. (TNT, 5/5/1949, p.1) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Breum, Catherine; Rites & ceremonies--Parkland--1940-1950; Celebrations--Parkland--1940-1950; Berg, Anne Malmin; Tommervik, Tom;

Pacific Lutheran College. The exterior of the Student Union Building showing the grounds and part of a garden with a sun dial. A few students are enjoying the sunny spring day.

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Educational facilities--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Three women students are shown in one of the women's dormitory rooms at Pacific Lutheran College in the spring of 1950. Two desks are set into an alcove near the window. A flowered curtain covers the closet. One of the women is reading on one of the beds and another is leaning on one of the dressers against the far wall. The floor is covered with checked linoleum tile and sprinklers are shown along the ceiling. A comfortable wicker rocking chair is positioned nearby.

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Educational facilities--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Students are seen studying at the rows of tables at the Pacific Lutheran College library in April of 1950. Open beams lead towards the large windows at the far end of the room. The library, designed by Tacoma architect Emanuel J. Bresemann, was dedicated in 1939. TPL-9330

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Libraries--Parkland; Educational facilities--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Studying--Parkland;

The exterior of "Old Main" at Pacific Lutheran College (later University) has been cleaned of ivy in 1950. In other years the administration building was covered thickly with ivy. Pacific Lutheran University was founded in 1890 by a group of mostly Norwegian Lutherans from the Puget Sound area. They were led by the Reverend Bjug Harstad, who became PLU's first president. Although founded as a university, the institution functioned primarily as an academy until 1918, when it closed for two years. It reopened as the two-year Pacific Lutheran College, after merging with Collumbia College, previously located in Everett. Spokane College merged with PLC in 1929. Four-year baccalaureate degrees were first offered in education in 1939 and in the liberal arts in 1941. TPL-9332

Students--Parkland; Educational facilities--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

Marjorie Anderson was the 1951 May Queen at Pacific Lutheran College. She poses for her portrait by a floral arch with the Queen's train spread out behind her. She is wearing a floral crown and carried a small bouquet of roses. (TNT, 5/3/1951, p.D-3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Anderson, Marjorie;

Unidentified dancers swung their partners "do-si-do" as part of the festivities held in the Pacific Lutheran College's gymnasium for May Day 1951. The men wore plaid shirts and jeans while the women wore floor-length print dresses that twirled in the air as they spun. The American square dance was part of a performance of folk dances during the 18th annual holiday celebration. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-51, A-8-article on festivities)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Folk dancing--Parkland--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Marjorie Anderson, the 1951 May Queen at Pacific Lutheran College, poses for her portrait carrying a small bouquet of roses. Marjorie, a senior from Tacoma, was chosen by vote of the student body at the college. (TNT, 5/3/1951, p.D-3)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Anderson, Marjorie;

Laying the cornerstone at Pacific Lutheran College for the $625,000 chapel-music-speech building were, L-R, Dr. Seth C. Eastvold, president of the college; Dr. Henry F. Schuh (with trowel) of Columbus, Ohio; Dr. H.L. Foss of Seattle, chairman of the college board and president of the Pacific District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; Dr. Carl A.V. Lund of Gresham, Oregon, president of the Columbia Conference of the Augustana Lutheran Church; and Dr. S.C. Siefkes of Portland, president of the Northwestern District of the American Lutheran Church. (TNT, 6/9/1951, p.21)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; College presidents--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Eastvold, Seth C.; Cornerstone laying--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Foss, H.L.;

On July 19, 1951, workmen were cutting and installing one-inch blankets of insulation in the band room at the new chapel-music-speech building at Pacific Lutheran College. The J-M system of sound isolation was being used to control sound waves which are transmitted by structural vibration. Light weight and specially constructed floors, walls and ceilings were entirely divorced from the building structure by means of felted isolators. The floating interior had no rigid contact with the outer solid structure of the building. The felt cushioned isolators took up the sound impulses which otherwise would be transmitted throughout the structure. (TNT, 7/22/1951, p.C-12)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Building construction--Parkland--1950-1960;

Men are smoothing on one of the three layers of plaster on the ceiling and high along one of the walls in the new chapel-music-speech building at Pacific Lutheran College in July of 1951. Acoustical plaster was used on two walls of each room, above the dado, or wainscoating; and on a strip across the middle of the ceiling. The structure incorporated the latest engineering features designed to cut noise to a minimum. Students in one of the seventeen 6-foot by 10-foot practice rooms should seldom hear sounds coming from practice rooms on either side of them. The building also had seven studios, a band room, choir room and radio studio. (TNT, 7/22/1951, p.C-12)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Building construction--Parkland--1950-1960;

1951 construction work on the exterior of the new chapel-music-speech building at Pacific Lutheran College. Brick veneer is being laid by men working from scaffolding. Scaffolding is still in place around a steeple that has been added above the roof. Architect John Richards explained that the design of the rooms in the building were unusual. The walls and ceilings were not true, or straight. The ceiling in some rooms slanted up, in others it slanted down. The same was true of the walls. The purpose of this was to break up the reverberation of sound waves. (TNT, 7/22/1951, p.C-12)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Building construction--Parkland--1950-1960; Progress photographs;