Utah home to 'most impressive' historic college campuses in US, report says

Utah home to 'most impressive' historic college campuses in US, report says

(Utah State University Historical Photo)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Ties to pivotal eras in history, architectural character and exceptional mountain views are just some of the traits that make Utah's universities some of the "most impressive" historic college campuses in the nation.

That's according to a recent ranking by College Value Online, an organization that seeks to help students across the country select the college that best suits their needs and interests.

Ahead of notable historical institutions such as Yale, Cornell and Princeton, the University of Utah ranked seventh on the list, and Utah State University topped them all.

"It's good to see two Utah schools in there," said Tim Vitale, spokesman for Utah State University. "It is highly rewarding to see us ranked with so many other beautiful places in the nation. We're proud to see we're up there with the best of them."

College Value Online originally considered colleges with at least three historic buildings or landmarks on campus. The list then was narrowed to 20 institutions based on historical circumstances, uniformity of architectural style, mountain views, green spaces and other aesthetic factors.

"Some historic areas are more impressive than others — more beautiful, well-kept and inspiring to the spirit," the report states.

Founded as a land-grant agricultural college in 1888, Utah State was highlighted by the report as one of six colleges in the U.S. selected as a site for intensive electrical engineering training for U.S. Navy students during World War II.

Utah State was also a host site for the Student Army Training Corps during World War I, when permanent brick buildings were erected to be used as barracks during the war and for instruction afterward.

Utah State Unniversity Historical photo
Utah State Unniversity Historical photo

The university's iconic Old Main building, completed in 1890, is now the oldest academic structure still in use in the state, according to the university. Other historic buildings, such as the Ray B. West and geology buildings, are also still in use and are within a short distance of residence halls on campus.

"These are all anchor historic buildings that make the quad experience for students a truly great student experience," Vitale said.

The U. was recognized as Utah's flagship university and a companion research institution to Utah State. The report highlighted the campus as the home of Fort Douglas, which protected mail and telegraph transmission along the Central Overland Route when Union troops withdrew in 1862 to fight in the Civil War.

Most of the fort was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, and the southern portion continues to house the 96th Army Reserve Command, according to the university.

"I think it's one of the best-kept secrets in the valley. It's such a unique neighborhood, has a lot of history, a lot of culture of its own, and it's just such a unique and beautiful part of the campus. It really is a gem up here," said Brian Rasmussen, director of marketing for the U.

As university leaders plan for new buildings, Rasmussen said they try to design them to "coincide with the flavor and existing architectural style" of the university's historic structures.

In addition to Utah State, the top five historic campuses include the University of California, Berkeley; Louisiana State University; the University of Arkansas; and Indiana University Bloomington.

Rasmussen said he was pleased but not surprised to find Utah ranking highly compared with historic college campuses across the country.

"To see some of the other schools that are listed in the top 20, it's impressive to know that we're included in that group," he said.

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Morgan Jacobsen

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