{"id":1600,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:10","latitude":46.860071846766999215105897746980190277099609375,"longitude":-113.9838229357000045638415031135082244873046875,"title":"University Hall","subtitle":"The University of Montana Historic District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/7b92b32311c70df953bc8d7e9e3fdbdc.jpg","address":"32 Campus Drive, Missoula, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"Fronting the Oval at the heart of the campus, the university’s oldest standing building, also known as Main Hall, proudly represents the birth of this noble institution. Celebrated Missoula architect A. J. Gibson designed the Richardsonian Romanesque style building that, along with its now-demolished companion Science Hall, comprised the campus at the school’s opening in 1899. During the university’s dedication ceremony in 1898, corn, oil, and water symbolizing plenty, joy, and peace were poured over the building’s cornerstone. Today the hourly chiming of the bells in the majestic bell tower serves as constant reminder of the enduring solidity of the university.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Public","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/20813bab-709f-4f3e-a723-150e7c0dbd3f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about the University of Montana Historic District</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/36b2236f-1a00-41f0-b8f2-e9474c588162/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See photos of the University of Montana Historic District</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/7b92b32311c70df953bc8d7e9e3fdbdc.jpg":{"id":1230,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall","description":"University of Montana&#039;s Main Hall from center of oval. Old gym, Mount Jumbo, and Mount Sentinel in background. Missoula, Montana. Facing west towards Hellgate Canyon. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/14530\">Montana History Portal</a> | ca. 1905 | Morton J. Elrod","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/7b92b32311c70df953bc8d7e9e3fdbdc.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/25b3e45ef3b438f9726415393faf0702.jpg":{"id":1231,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall","description":"Main Hall, University of Montana, the tower is framed by the foliage of two trees. Front view of the building, facing southeast near the Oval. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/19214\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | 1930 | Rollin H. McKay","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/25b3e45ef3b438f9726415393faf0702.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/5a461ce8bf0da0d78532212b7e78c114.jpg":{"id":1232,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall","description":"Main Hall, University of Montana, Missoula, is partially hidden by the foliage of a tree. Front view of the building, facing southeast near the Oval. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/19210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | 1930 | Rollin H. McKay","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/5a461ce8bf0da0d78532212b7e78c114.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/d638b8f99a9f1aa103e0b496b584dba7.jpg":{"id":1233,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall and the Bike Shed","description":"Main Hall on the University of Montana campus, bike shed is also in the picture. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/16996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | ca. 1910 | Morton J. Elrod","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/d638b8f99a9f1aa103e0b496b584dba7.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/fb280d7688e486f8fa0469c836ae3a96.jpg":{"id":1235,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall","description":"Main Hall (University Hall) looking northeast, in winter. A horse and buggy are visible in the lower left of the image. Mt. Jumbo in the background. University of Montana campus, Missoula. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/13950\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | ca. 1903 | Morton J. Elrod","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/fb280d7688e486f8fa0469c836ae3a96.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/2c7838d65345953bfaa83c16d7a01816.jpg":{"id":1237,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall on the UM Campus","description":"Main Hall with cars parked on the road around the Oval, on the University of Montana campus, Missoua. Front view of the building, facing northeast towards Hellgate Canyon. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/18595\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | Unknown | Stan Healy","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/2c7838d65345953bfaa83c16d7a01816.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/42baa5a17471d10d70b54f9f4ad34e87.jpg":{"id":1238,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall","description":"Main Hall (University Hall) on the University of Montana campus. Missoula. Mount Sentinel is in the background. Front view of the building, facing east. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/13947\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | 1903 | Morton J. Elrod","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/42baa5a17471d10d70b54f9f4ad34e87.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/0f8319d28826848508d29a555ca991cb.jpg":{"id":6031,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"University Hall","description":"Photo of building exterior.  | Montana Historical Society | 17 September, 2021 | Tom Ferris, photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/0f8319d28826848508d29a555ca991cb.jpg"}}}