1. John Brown Statue and Memorial Plaza 2. Walk through the Archaeological Ruins 3. Walk through the Woods 4. Views of 19th and 20th Century Buildings 5. Quindaro Park and Cemeteries QUINDARO VIRTUAL TOUR Western University Ward Hall and Stanley Hall circa 1910. None of the original structures of the Western University Campus exist today. The only parts that remain of the original buildings are some of cornerstones of the buildings. Along with the John Brown Statue these cornerstones are the only monuments left to give praise to a great and noteworthy African-American University. The Campus The buildings on the campus were constructed of brick and stone. Cement walks connected them. The Bridge There was a variety of trees and shrubbery and expansive lawns and fields. Landscaping became a part of the curriculum in 1911. BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS First Building Constructed A drawing in the files of W.T. Vernon showed the first building constructed on campus to be an architectural copy of Blachley's Freedman's University building which resembled a church. The structure followed a basic church building design. On each end in the front of the building was a cylindrical appendage. The front facade was made of stone and the sides and back were made of wood. This building sat on a hill and was an imposing edifice nesteled within trees and other natural plant growth.1 Top Ward Hall Ward Hall was constructed by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It was built in 1881 and named to honor Bishop T.M.D. Ward who helped to organize Western University. When Western University began, this building was the only one on campus and was used as the administration building and for all classes. The building was destroyed by fire in 1912. Top Stanley Hall Stanley Hall was the first of many buildings on the campus built by the State of Kansas. This building was named after Governor William Stanley who recommended to the legislature that they assist the school with an appropriation for an industrial department. The cornerstone for the building was laid in 1900 and Governor Stanley was a speaker at the event. The building was forty by sixty-seven feet, three stories high, including the basement. The first story of the building was constructed of white stone. The second and third stories were constructed of red brick. An auditorium was located on the second floor along with offices and recitation rooms. In 1901 an addition thirty-six by sixty feet constructed of brick was added to the building. The building housed the administrative offices for the university. This building was also referred to as the Industrial Building. Top The Girl's Trade Building (Studio Building/Music Hall) Construction of the Girl's Trade Building was begun in 1905. Located in this building was the music studio, the commercial department, and the domestic science department. An auditorium, that could seat three hundred people, took up the entire space of the third floor. This building was also known as the Studio Building and the Music Hall. Top Boy's Trade Building With another appropriation from the state legislature the Boy's Trade Building was built in 1907. The trades of blacksmithing, wheel-wrighting, printing, tailoring and auto mechanics were taught in this building. A U.S. Post Office was also housed in one room of this building. Top Grant Hall (Girl's Dormitory) / Douglass Hospital Grant Hall was constructed in 1909 from an appropriation from the state legislature. The building was named in honor of A.M.E. Bishop Abraham Grant, who was an influential supporter of the University. This building was four stories high with seventy-three rooms, seventeen bathrooms, planned in suites of four rooms with one bathroom. The first floor was the reception hall. The Boarding Department was housed in this building. The dining area had a capacity for 500 persons. This building was also known as the Gril's Dormitory. Top Ward Hall and Parks Hall (Boy's Dormitory) After the first Ward Hall was destroyed by fire another building was constructed in 1914 to replace it and given the name Ward Hall. This new Ward Hall was a three story red brick building. It contained the Shaffer Theological Seminary, a Chapel with a seating capacity of 500, a basement gymnasium, a boiler room, five classrooms, and seventeen boys dormitory rooms. In 1921 Parks Hall was constructed. This was a three story ruble rock structure built from rocks quarried from Western University land. The building was attached to the east side of Ward Hall. It was named Parks Hall in honor of A.M.E. Bishop Parks. This building was destroyed by fire in 1924. Top New Ward Hall and Parks Hall (Boy's Dormitory) A New Ward and Parks Hall was built to replace the one that was destroyed by fire in 1924. Top Grant Hall (Remodeled into Douglass Hospital) After the University ceased operation in 1943, the A.M.E. Church remodeled Grant Hall and moved Douglass Hospital into the building in 1945. Douglass Hospital closed in 1978 and the building which was originally known as Grant Hall was demolished. Bryant Butler Kitchen Nursing Home was built on the site of Grant Hall. The nursing home building still occupies the site, but has been vacated. Top The Automobile Repair Building Automotive mechanics was a part of the Trade's Department. Poultry, Dairy and Live Stock Buildings and Barns Land next to the campus was used for experimental farming. The Poultry, Dairy, and Live Stock Industry Buildings and Barns were erected using state funds beginning in 1901. The Laundry Building (Not Pictured) The Laundry building was a small brick building located behind Grant Hall. Laundry was a subject offered in the Trades Department. The building was known as the Girl's Annex when Laundry was a subject offered in the Trades Department. The building was known as the Girl's Annex when it was converted for use as a girl's dormitory. Top Power Plant (Not Pictured) In 1904 the legislature of Kansas appropriated funds to the school to build a power plant. This plant had the capacity to pump four hundred barrels of water from a spring in the valley five hundred feet away. Central Steam Heating Plant The Central Steam Heating Plant was constructed circa 1923. It was a low flat brick building with a high smokestack that was located in the hollow near the center of the campus. Through pipes steam and hot water was carried to the buildings. Top Houses Related to Western University These houses were located on the South side of Sewell facing the University Campus. These structures were used to house the faculty. During the years when the school's dormitories were overcrowded they also housed students. The Kealing house was razed circa 1990. The Vernon House was destroyed by fire in 1999. The Kennedy House is scheduled for demolition. These were the last of the structures that remained of what was once Western University. 2715 Sewell Avenue. President and Superintendent William T. Vernon's Residence. Built in 1918. (Damaged by fire 1999) Vernon Residence Photo contributed by Bill Slaughter. Vernon 2725 Sewell Avenue. The residence of William B. Kennedy, who was the instructor of tailoring. Built in 1911. (Vacant) Kennedy Residence 1998. Photo contributed by Bill Slaughter. Kennedy 2805 Sewell Avenue. President and Superintendent H. T. Kealing's Residence. Built 1916. (Razed circa 1990) Kealing Residence Photo Courtesy of Kansas City, Kansas Planning and Zoning Division. Kealing Top Houses Built by the Western University Carpentry Class House Under Construction Shop Teacher's Cottage. Top NOTES 1Smith, Thaddeus T. "Western University: A Ghost College In Kansas. Unpublished Master of Arts thesis, Pittsburg State College. Pittsburg, Kansas: 1966, p. 55.

O WESTERN U Missouri's shores and muddy waves In fairest landscape view. On bleeding Kansas' famous soil Stands dear old Western U. Young men and maidens happy come To learn to think and do, And train their hearts and voices right At dear old Western U. School Song Lyrics Rev. Calvin Douglass What was the educational life like at Western University in the early part of the 20th century? The following newspaper article gives us a look into the school's activities. WESTERN UNIVERSITY PRIDE OF THE WEST! New Trustee Board Placing Kansas Institution in the Front Rank of the Nation's Foremost Industrial Schools A View of the State Industrial Department-Great Work Being Done and Many Improvements Being Made Under the Present Board of Trustees On Monday, April 28, we made a trip to Western University to inspect the State Industrial Department. The State has there five large buildings and everything is on the hum. We met first of all Dr. H.T. Kealing, the superintendent. He is one of the best known educators and orators in the United States. Dr. Kealing came to Kansas City from Nashville, Tenn., where he was editor of the A.M.E. Review, having served sixteen years in that position, being elected at four successive sessions of the General Conference. Before entering the newspaper field Dr. Kealing had won quite a reputation in educational work, having been at the head of some of our best known colleges in the South. Heretofore the doctor has been somewhat hampered in his work, but since the new State Board of Trustees has had charge he has been given a free hand and he is running things as they should be run, ably assisted by Mr. A.D. Griffin, president of the Board, who is always on the grounds personally supervising things and Mr. Cyrus Lindell, the new business agent. In fact, the present Board, appointed by Gov. Hodges, has put new life into the institution. Fresh new sod is being laid and new hedges have been set out all over the campus. The laying of the sod and the setting of the hedges is being done by the students in the agricultural department, which is one of the finest in the state. "It is our desire," said Mr. Griffin, "to make the agricultural department a second Manhattan, a place where men can send their sons to be taught really scientific farming. The Board is now having a new brick sidewalk constructed that runs from 28th St. south to Grant Hall, the girls' new dormitory. The sidewalk is being constructed by students who are working their way through school. The dormitory is on a high promontory overlooking the Missouri River. It is modern and up-to-date in every respect, well lighted and ventillated. A new reception room for the girls has just been completed. There are seventy-six girls who live in the dormitory. Two girls are assigned to a suite of rooms, each suite containing a study room, a bedroom and a bathroom. The new Board has also had the old water tank, which was an eyesore to the students and public alike, torn down and city water has been installed. A new oil house has also been erected. Mr. Cyrus Lindell, the new business agent, is a great booster for the state and for the school. He declares that there are no heights to which the school cannot rise, if given the proper management. He is certainly helping to give it that management. Mr. Lindell is to be found on the job day and night, always pushing and boosting. The governor made no mistake in selecting Mr. Lindell. We need more men like him. It is indeed a pleasure to visit the Misses' studio, with the Negro's natural love and propensity for music in mind the present management has done all that could be done to bring out the very best in music. The very latest models in pianos are being used. There ia a department in vocal culture, one in instrumental and one in violin. The Commerical Department has twelve of the latest designs in typewriters and a new adding machine. Kansas City and the surrounding territory draws on the graduates of this department for stenographers. The girls in the Milinery and Sewing Departments make all their own hats and dresses. Both of these departments are modern and up-to-date in every respect. In the Trades Building there is a department in blacksmithing and wheelwrighting, one in carpentry, one in trailoring, one in printing, and one in shoemaking, all of which are doing splendid work. One of the most interesting features of the school is the large new kitchen and dining hall. The dining hall will seat comfortably about two hundred and fifty. The kitchen is modern in every respect, and almost spotless. The tables and floors being perfectly white they are kept this way. The menu served Monday consisted of the following: Soup, Salmon Croquettes, Gravey, Tomatoes, Macaroni, French Fried Potatoes, Corn Starch Blanc Mange Pudding. Several energetic bright girls who are working their way through school wait on the table. On June 7th Gov. Geo. H. Hodges will address the graduating class. He will be glad to meet all the people here and discuss plans for co-operation in educational work. In this year's graduating class there will be fourteen normal graduates, ten in sewing, two in blacksmithing, three music, six in domestic science and three in millinery. The school has a great future, being backed up by a rich state, a vigorous, energetic Board of Trustees, a scholarly superintendent and faculty, and an enthusiastic, loyal student body. National Review May 13, 1913 Quindaro-Western University Visitor Information Regarding access to the Quindaro Site. Regarding historical sites in Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County Kansas - Kansas City, Kansas Convention and Visitors Bureau.