The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Rankin Hall of Science

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Rankin Hall of Science (three-quarter view, ca. 1920), Carroll College (WI)

Rankin Hall of Science (three-quarter view, ca. 2007), Carroll College (WI)

Institution Name: Carroll College (WI)
Original/Historic Place Name: Rankin Hall of Science
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1906-1907

original construction (cornerstone laid June 13) Patton & Miller

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: Waukesha limestone

Walls: Waukesha limestone

Roof: Spanish terra cotta tiles (original); red shingle (current)

Function:

1906-present (2007)	faculty offices
1906-present (2007)	other (laboratories)
1906-present (2007)	classrooms

Significance:
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Funding for the Rankin Hall of Science came largely from a gift of Ralph and Elizabeth Voorhees. This gift was to help with the construction of three campus buildings, including this science building which was named after his friend and former Carroll College (WI) President, Walter Rankin. The building opened for classes in either 1906 or 1907, and the fabric of the building remains much the same today as when it was first built.

It is possible that Rankin Hall of Science was designed by Patton & Miller, because some aspects of the structure's massing, hip roof, and rusticated stone exterior are similar to elements in the firm's other buildings. But this attribution is uncertain and requires further research.

The other two buildings funded by the Voorhees' generous gift were Voorhees Hall, and Voorhees Cottage, a modest president's house that has since been razed.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Langill, Ellen. Carroll College: The First Century, 1846-1946. Waukesha, WI: Carroll College Press, 1980.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections