Timeline1914-1923

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Western Michigan University
Building Timeline ~ 1914-1923

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1914	First athletic field constructed
1915	Science Building and Greenhouse		The Normal School's Heating Plant smokestack can be seen in the extreme right in the photo of the Science Building. It would have many names and functions over the years, including Power Plant, Electronics Shop, Garage, and Upholstery Shop.
	Heating Plant
1916
1917	Eames Mill acquired to house Manual Training Shops The Mill would be condemned and razed in 1942.	Click to view photos of training shops in the old Mill.
	Michigan's Life Certificate for teachers now increased to a three-year training program from two.
1918	"Barracks" Building or "Temporary" Building (housing for Student Army Training Corps, later remodeled for classrooms)		Pass pointer over buildings to identify. Photo above shows the Barracks along Michigan Avenue. Above can be seen the Library and Science Buildings and the cupola for the Administration Building.
	Photograph of "Barracks" and "Annex", under construction. The Barracks would be razed in 1948.
	Western introduces first four-year degree program
1919
1920
1921	Manual Arts Building (Eames Mill becomes the PlayHouse for the Western State Normal Players, or the "Players".)		Enlargement of the chalkboard in the 1923 photo at left reveals a drawing of a horse. This is NOT a "Bronco" - in 1923 the Western nickname was still "Hilltoppers".

1922	Kleinstuck Preserve is gifted to WSTS by Mrs. Caroline Kleinstuck as a wildlife preserve. The Preserve is comprised of 47.5 acres, and located several blocks south of Howard St. and a block east of Oakland Drive.
1923	Two wooden buildings built for additional classrooms (and later torn down in the 30's). President Waldo had already begun acquiring more land in anticipation of the need for more classrooms and other facilities. (1921 Land Survey; 1927 Campus Planning Map)