Fairbanks Hall, 1906

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LOCATION: 222 N. 7th Street DESIGNED BY: W. H. Floyd and C. E. Scott CONSTRUCTED BY: The Modern Construction Company of Terre Haute ACQUIRED: 1979 HISTORY An exceptional example of Beaux Arts classicism, the Indiana limestone structure. The building was remodeled in 1984 and converted into studio and classroom space for the Department of Art. The original stained glass dome still dominates the central rotunda of the building. An offer was made by Crawford Fairbanks on February 2, 1903 to build a new public library building on a site the city would furnish and was to be named in honor of his mother Emeline Fairbanks. Mr. Fairbanks was a prominent Terre Haute businessman and philanthropist. On May 5th, the city announced the purchase of a lot on Seventh and Eagle Streets. Groundbreaking was on March 15, 1903. The cornerstone ceremony was turned over to the Grand Lodge of Masons. The laying of the cornerstone took place on August 10, 1904. The event included a parade downtown with music, prayer and orations at the site of the central event. Spencer F. Ball wrote the history of the building and placed it in the cornerstone. Also included in the cornerstone were lists of officials, pictures of the Fairbanks family, the day's program, a 1904 city directory and newspapers. The informal opening and dedication of the completed building was April 29, 1906. There was some delay in the use of the building due to a legal dispute about ownership. On August 11, 1906, the formal opening of the library building to the public was announced at an evening reception. On Monday the Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library was opened for regular business. ISU was given possession in 1979. A reception was held for the newly renovated and renamed Fairbanks Hall on January 22, 1984.