File:Valparaiso University Auditorium, 1907 - Valparaiso, Indiana (38913171240).jpg

Date: 1907 Source Type: Postcard Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Unknown Postmark: October 5, 1907, Valparaiso, Indiana Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: The Auditorium at Valparaiso University was constructed in 1892. It served as a center for entertainment and was later converted to a chapel. The structure was destroyed by fire on November 27, 1956.

The following news item concerning the construction of the Auditorium Building appeared in the June 26, 1891, issue of The Tribune:

Valpo's New Normal College. Never in the history of any school has such marvelous growth and development been seen as of the Normal School of Valparaiso. Professors Brown and Kinsey, by their untiring efforts and indefatigable labors have won for themselves an undying reputation consequent on their establishment and management of the Normal. Their school has multiplied and re-multiplied until now they deem it necessary to enlarge upon their already spacious quarters by erecting a magnificent college building. The edifice is to be situated on the corner of College avenue and Locust street. Active progress is now being made in excavating and preparing the foundation. The building will be 120x60 feet. It will consist of two stories, the first being 14 feet high and the second 32 feet high. The material used in the construction will be pressed brick with stone trimmings. The first floor will consist of six recitation rooms, each with an average seating capacity of one hundred pupils. These rooms will be utilized for the study of mathematics and sciences. The second floor will be used as an auditorium, with a seating capacity of 2,000. It is said the Auditorium will be the largest in Indiana, barring the Hall at Indianapolis. All the modern mechanical appliances are to be inaugurated, electricity and gas will be utilized for lighting purposes. The system of ventilation is complete in every detail. The estimated cost of the building will be forty thousand dollars. the citizens of Valparaiso may well feel proud of this ornament to their now beautiful city.

Source: The Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana; June 26, 1891; Volume 8, Number 11, Page 1, Column 3. Column titled "From Our Neighbors. Newsy Notes From The County Round On The Movements of the People."