Albion College’s Quad, the historic heart of the campus, has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century. Originally, the campus consisted of only a few buildings, including the Bell House, Central Building, North Hall, South Hall, and the Observatory, which occupied what would become the eastern half of the Quad. The western half, known as Union Square, was an open space with disputed ownership.

In the early 1890s, a significant expansion began when U.S. Senator James McMillan donated funds for a new laboratory. The college needed additional space, and efforts to annex Union Square commenced. On November 22, 1892, a petition led by President Fiske and other college representatives was presented to the Albion Common Council, requesting the vacation of a portion of Oswego Street to enable the college’s expansion.

The request was granted, and subsequent legal efforts ensured that Albion College gained full control over Union Square. By March 1893, the Common Council officially vacated Union Square, allowing the college to proceed with constructing new buildings. This expansion marked the beginning of the Quad as we know it today, providing a central, cohesive space for academic and social activities at Albion College.

Albion College Campus, 1898, Cat. # 39_mini