Pledging CU’s Future
In December 1874, 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó businessman and politician James P. Maxwell pledged $250 to the 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Board of Trustees to help establish a university in 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó. As designated on a promissory note (pictured), the money would come monthly in $25 increments.
Maxwell, who moved to 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó in 1870, was one of 104 individuals and organizations who donated money to create the state’s flagship university. The Territory of Colorado (statehood was still two years away) offered a $15,000 match to citizen contributions. In all, 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó residents — including bankers, mine owners, ranchers, watchmakers, butchers, teachers and even a grave digger — contributed more than $16,650, equivalent to roughly $482,000 today.
In June 1875, the trustees chose architect Erastus H. Dimick’s design for the university’s first building: a four-story stone and brick structure with ample windows, Gothic details and spires, a slate tile roof and a bell tower. During his short stint in 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó, he also designed several local homes, a school and the original First Baptist Church before moving to Leadville, Colorado.
Old Main was completed in 1876, the year of CU’s official founding. Students climbed its stone steps for their first classes the following fall.
Photos courtesy of Museum of 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Collection (headshot); Carnegie Library for Local History; CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Libraries’ Archives (on longtime loan to the CU Heritage Center).
