The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Ada Wallace Roberts Concourse

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Ada Wallace Roberts Concourse (entrance drive), Culver-Stockton College

Institution Name: Culver-Stockton College
Original/Historic Place Name: Ada Wallace Roberts Concourse
Location on Campus: College Hill
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1964	original construction Unknown
2003	reconstruction Poepping, Stone, Bach & Associates, Inc. Bleigh Construction

Type of Place: Landscape site
Type of landscape–

Views and vistas:
Yes
Large-scale features:
The concourse also provides unequaled sledding for students and local children in the winter.
Other characteristics:
Yes

Materials: 1. Two small metal pedestrian bridges across small ravines at the bottom of the concourse. 2. Many trees (some on the north side of the concourse are very old).

Function:

1964-present (2007)

outdoor space

Significance:
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Throughout the history of the college, the "Hill" has been an enduring symbol. For decades students climbed the east front of the campus up the steep hill to get from downtown to class. In the winter students and local children used the hill for sledding. In 1964, after much discussion, a roadway and sidewalk was built connecting Lewis Street to Henderson Hall. The Board of Trustees envisioned a road that would give a panoramic view of the College on one side and, on the other, the Mississippi Valley. The site was named after Ada Roberts, a long-time faculty member and administrator. At the base of the hill was placed a sign that included, along with Mrs. Roberts' name, the names of those students who had given their lives in World War II.

The Concourse continues to provide the panoramic views originally sought by the Trustees. Approximately 200 historic campus trees and steps and footbridges were lost in the tornado of May 6, 2002. It was both a tragedy and a new beginning. The newly opened vista revealed even better views than had previously been known. The college developed a Greenspace Committee to advise on landscaping matters and to protect these new views as well as older ones.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Lee, George R. Culver-Stockton College: The First 130 Years. Canton, MO: Culver-Stockton College, 1984.

Peters, George L. Dreams Come True: The Story of Culver-Stockton College. Canton, MO: Culver-Stockton College, 1941.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections, Facilities Management Office