Photos: University of Arizona – Then and Now – Part 3
Another installment of views of the University of Arizona campus in the early days and taken from the same location in 2018.
The new look in the 1960s was part of a decade of planning to provide as much open space as possible. Moving the baseball field from Bear Down Gym is helping to create the open mall look that will be extended all the way to North Cherry Avenue. The university's aggressive building program amounted to about $8 million which included the new administration building, the Space Sciences building and a new women's dorm.
University of Arizona: Football stadium
The horseshoe-shaped University of Arizona football stadium is clearly visible on campus on September 10, 1968 in Tucson.
University of Arizona: Football stadium
The Meinel Optical Sciences Building at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 23, 2018. It was originally built in 1970 and with the expansion of the west wing in 2006 has evolved into a four story structure above ground with three levels below. There is a 100-foot vertical test tower; laser beam, glass technology and solar energy laboratories; offices and classrooms.
University of Arizona: Adminstration
A couple of students walk along the University of Arizona Mall in front of the new Administration building being erected on January 3, 1966.
University of Arizona: Adminstration
Constructed in 1966, the University of Arizona Administration Building is not only occupied by the provost and vice presidents it is also used by student services and business offices including financial aid, the registrar's office and graduate college in Tucson on July 16, 2018.
University of Arizona: Mall
University of Arizona students enjoy a warm fall morning on the mall in Tucson, on October 1, 1968.
University of Arizona: Mall
Huge trees surround parts of Old Main, the original building at the University of Arizona in Tucson, including the balcony that overlooks the Mall on July 23, 2018.
University of Arizona: Mall at Campbell
A worker uses heavy equipment to place a palm tree along North Campbell Avenue near the easternmost side of campus at the University of Arizona, in Tucson on August 13, 1968. Some of the palm trees were transplanted from different parts of campus.
University of Arizona: Mall at Campbell
Cyclists ride along the entrance to the Mall at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 25, 2018. The "Curving Arches (Homage to Bernini), right, was designed by Athena Tacha and is inspired by the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's St. Peter's Square. It was installed in September, 1981.
University of Arizona: McKale Center exterior
The new McKale Center is starting to take shape as construction continues at the University of Arizona in Tucson on August 4, 1972. The health and physical education complex, which will include a 15,000-seat basketball facility. McKale, named after legendary coach James "Pop" McKale Center, will replace the aging Bear Down Gym and is expected to be ready for the upcoming 1972-73 basketball season.
University of Arizona: McKale Center exterior
The McKale Memorial Center at the University of Arizona is the home of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in Tucson on July 16, 2018. Named in honor of James "Pop" McKale, the former athletic and Arizona coach, it has a 14,000 seat arena and now houses a 10,000 square foot strength and condition facility and heritage center. In addition of being the venue for the basketball, volleyball and gymnastics teams it is also where past commencement ceremonies have taken place.
University of Arizona: Dorms
Trees and spacious parking is available for football fans and for residents of Santa Cruz Hall, middle, and Apache Halls, far right, at the University of Arizona on East Sixth Street, in Tucson on September 11, 1966. The new look for the school is part of a decade of planning to provide as much open space as possible.
University of Arizona: Dorms
A large eucalyptus tree provides plenty of shade on the southwest corner of Arizona Stadium and partially obscures Likins Residence Hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 16, 2018. Built in 2011 the four to six story hall was designed around a hacienda-style interior courtyard. It is named for former UA President Emeritus Peter Likens.
University of Arizona: Coronado Dorm
Coronado, the 10-story women's dorm, is one of the latest structures built on the campus of the University of Arizona on September 11, 1966.
University of Arizona: Coronado Dorm
The Arbol de la Vida, middle, is the largest and newest honors hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 16, 2018. The six-story hall is home for more than 700 residents and features striking architecture including sky bridges connecting five buildings.
University of Arizona: Physics, Math and Meteorology
One of the newer structures on the campus of the University of Arizona, in Tucson, is the Physics, Math and Meteorology building on the southern part of the school near East Sixth Street on January 3, 1966.
University of Arizona: Physics, Math and Meteorology
Once called the Physics, Math and Meteorology Building, it is now the Physics and Atmospheric Sciences Building at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 16, 2018.
University of Arizona: Math building
Work is still ongoing at the new Math Building at the University of Arizona in Tucson on April 4, 1968.
University of Arizona: Math building
Built in 1968, the Mathematics Building at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, is located on the southern portion of the campus on July 16, 2018. The department has a long tradition of doing outreach to local schools with programs that support high school teachers and provide a research center focusing on improving the math education of low-income Hispanic students. The department makes major contributions to the overall mission of the UA and Tucson.
University of Arizona: Administration and Mall
The walkway and steps that lead up to the nearly finished University of Arizona Administration building on campus on September 11, 1966.
University of Arizona: Administration and Mall
Students take a short cut as they walk in front of the University of Arizona Administration Building on their way to the Student Union in Tucson on July 16, 2018.
University of Arizona: Steward Observatory
A photo of the Steward Observatory on the campus of the University of Arizona in March 1930. R.B. Streets, UA Department of Plant Pathology / UA Special Collections.
University of Arizona: Steward Observatory
The old Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 16, 2018. The first telescope and building were dedicated on April 23, 1923. The observatory is near the Education Building, left, and Modern Sciences Building. When constructed it was located on an isolated piece of university land that was once an ostrich farm.
University of Arizona: Homecoming parade
The University of Arizona Marching Band performs during the Homecoming Parade as they walk south along North Stone Avenue in October 1955.
University of Arizona: Homecoming parade
Pedestrians cross North Stone Avenue near West Council Street at the Pima County Public Service Center in Tucson on July 16, 2018.
University of Arizona: Mall and Old Main
The Student Union bell tower looms over the campus mall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, on October 1, 1968.
University of Arizona: Mall and Old Main
The Mall at the University of Arizona looking west in Tucson on July 16, 2018.
University of Arizona: Bear Down Gym
In the early spring of 1926 the metal framework for the new men's gymnasium at the University of Arizona is beginning to take shape. The structure is where the Wildcats are expected to play their basketball games, the first maybe as early as January, 1927. It is located east of the Old Main, the original building on campus.
University of Arizona: Bear Down Gym
Bear Down Gymnasium is still in use at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 16, 2018. Constructed in 1926 as the men's gym it has served a number of different functions throughout its history. It was the main basketball venue until the McKale Center was built and during World War II it was made into a barracks for cadets in the Naval Training School. The Department of Campus Recreation uses the basement for activity classes, the main floor currently houses the Office of International Admissions, College of Letters, Arts and Science Academic Advising Center and the THINK TANK.
University of Arizona: Optical Sciences
The huge hole in the ground on the eastside of campus at the University of Arizona is going to be the new Optical Science Building on September 10, 1968, in Tucson.
University of Arizona: Optical Sciences
The Meinel Optical Sciences Building at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 23, 2018. It was originally built in 1970 and with the expansion of the west wing in 2006 has evolved into a four story structure above ground with three levels below. There is a 100-foot vertical test tower; laser beam, glass technology and solar energy laboratories; offices and classrooms.
University of Arizona: McKale Center
Interior of the new McKale Center is starting to take shape as construction continues at the University of Arizona in Tucson on August 4, 1972. The health and physical education complex, which will include a 15,000-seat basketball facility. McKale, named after legendary coach James "Pop" McKale Center, will replace the aging Bear Down Gym and is expected to be ready for the upcoming 1972-73 basketball season.
University of Arizona: McKale Center
Participants in coach David Rubio's volleyball camp break out into groups at the University of Arizona McKale Center in Tucson on July 16, 2018.
University of Arizona: South of Bear Down Gym
A paid parking gate is located not far from the mall at the University of Arizona on September 11, 1966. The new look for the school is part of a decade of planning to provide as much open space as possible.
University of Arizona: South of Bear Down Gym
Likins Residence Hall at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, was built in 2011 and is next to Arizona Stadium on July 16, 2018. The four to six story hall was designed around a hacienda-style interior courtyard. It is named for former UA President Emeritus Peter Likins.
University of Arizona: Mall looking East
University of Arizona students enjoy a warm fall morning on the mall in Tucson, on October 1, 1968.
University of Arizona: Mall looking East
The Mall at the University of Arizona as seen from Old Main in Tucson on July 23, 2018. It is now the site of the USS Arizona Mall Memorial featuring medallions bearing the names of the 1,177 sailors and US Marines killed in board the ship on December 7, 1941.
University of Arizona: Football stadium
There is a new, open look at the football stadium, just east of the building where the baseball field is being developed on Sixth Street, on September 11, 1966. The new look for the entire school is part of a decade of planning to provide as much open space as possible. Moving the baseball field from Bear Down Gym is helping to create the open mall look that will be extended all the way to North Cherry Avenue. The university's aggressive building program amounted to about $8 million which includes the new administration building, the Space Sciences building and a new women's dorm.
University of Arizona: Football stadium
Construction of the Intercollegiate Athletics Indoor Sports Center at the University of Arizona continues in Tucson on July 16, 2018. Once the site of Sancet Field, the baseball complex has made way for the Arizona football team facility after moving to Hi Corbett Field. The $15 million indoor sports center which is expected to be completed in December 2018, includes a 90-yard field with a 10-yard end zone and full width, climate-controlled area for training and conditioning.
University of Arizona: Steward Observatory
A circa 1921 copy photo of the Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
University of Arizona: Steward Observatory
at the University of Arizona in Tucson on July 16, 2018.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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