A snowy trip through memory lane
Angela Rudolph shares photos from the University Libraries' Digital Collections department showcasing snowy winters past
This season we have not yet had the heavy snowfall for which our region is known. If you are missing the vision of snow-filled streets, never fear, you can enjoy some of the historical photos of the University of Nevada, Reno’s campus and the surrounding area from winters past thanks to the University Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) electronic resources!
Diving into SCUA is an amazing journey and one that I encourage everyone to explore as we celebrate the University’s sesquicentennial celebration, culminating on Oct. 12, 2024, the University’s 150th birthday.
Here are just a few photos that I found from a quick search into the archives … be sure to follow the links and explore the archives yourself!
Winter on campus, University Entrance Gates, ca. 1903
From the archives: This view shows a snowy day at the University Entrance Gates with two women next to the gates. Morrill Hall and Hatch Hall are visible in the background. The caption on the image reads, "Campus gates and Morrill Hall in the distance about 1903-1904" (photographic print, 4.5 x 6.5 inches).
Woman standing in snow at University of Nevada
From the archives: Circa 1909-1915.
Winter on the Truckee River
From the archives: Circa 1910-1920.
Photograph of winter on the Truckee River; Title taken from image. Caption on image: Winter on the Truckee, #50 Reno, Nev.
Winter on campus, University Entryway, 1911
From the archives: The south entrance to the university is seen here on a snowy, winter day. This view shows the south side of campus including Hatch Hall, Stewart Hall, and Morrill Hall (left to right) with the caption on the image reading, "From a distance" (photographic print, 3.25 x 5.5 inches).
Winter on campus, Quad, ca. 1911
From the archives: The Quad is seen here covered in snow with its young trees lining the walkways and footprints in the snow.
Winter on campus, Tram, Manzanita Lake, Hatch Station, Stewart Hall, and Morrill Hall, 1911
From the archives: South campus is shown covered by snow. Hatch Station, Stewart Hall, and Morrill Hall are shown in this photograph taken from the Tram located at the south end of Manzanita Lake (photographic print, 3.35 x 5.5 inches).
The Tram was built as a wooden walkway across the original Orr Ditch and eventually separated the lake from the grassy knoll known as Manzanita Bowl. It was converted to concrete in 1937.
Stewart Hall, originally named the Dormitory Building, was the first female dormitory built on campus, completed in 1890. The top level of the building was torn down in the spring of 1959 due to damage from an earthquake, and in the fall of 1966 the name was changed to Stewart Administration until 1974 when it was completely demolished. It was located where the rose garden to the northwest of Morrill Hall is located today.
Hatch Hall, originally named the State Mining Laboratory, was finished in 1891 and later changed to house the College of Agriculture in 1900 after a fire destroyed the Agricultural Experiment Station. Located to the west of Morrill Hall, the building was moved in 1926 to where the current day Church of Fine arts is located to make room for construction of the new Clark Library Building. Hatch Hall was torn down in 1959 for the construction of the new arts building.
Morrill Hall, originally known as the Main Building, was the first building constructed at the university in 1885 and still stands today at the southern part of the Old Quad. This building housed classrooms, dorm rooms, and administrative offices for the university until expansion began. Named for Senator Justin S. Morrill of Vermont, who wrote the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862 which led to the creation of universities across the United States, the building cost $13,000 to construct. In 1979 the building was renovated to how it is today.
Manzanita Hall and Manzanita Lake, ca. 1920
From the archives: Manzanita Hall stands behind a frozen Manzanita Lake during winter (photographic print, 2.5 x 3.5 inches). Manzanita Hall, originally known as "The Cottage," was built in 1896 in an L-shape half the size it is today. In 1910 an addition and an eastern-facing porch were added, although the porch was removed when the building was remodeled in 1950. This was the second all-women dormitory built on the campus and maintains its women-only inhabitant policy today. Manzanita Lake was made by damming up the irrigation "Orr Ditch" that still runs through parts of the university today. Originally a man-made ranchers pond, the lake came into existence with the help of Donor Clarence Mackay in 1911 as part of the university's beautification mission.
Winter on campus, Quad, 2000
From the archives: A man walks along a snow-covered Quad with a later afternoon sun casting long shadows. The Quad was part of the beautification of the university campus funded by Clarence Mackay in 1908. The field that had sat to the north of Morrill Hall was turned into a grassy quadrangle complete with pathways on all sides and trees lining it to the east and west. It is still maintained today as one of the most beautiful parts of campus and is used for a variety of events, including spring commencement.
Winter on campus, Quad, 2022
I hope these images were as interesting to you as I found them to be!
Check out the Sesquicentennial Resource Hub from the University Libraries for resources and information about the University's rich history.
Also be sure to check out the University's Sesquicentennial Celebration webpage!
