Year Built: 1934
345 N. Campus Walk
Fayetteville, AR
The Chemistry Building, built of limestone in the Collegiate Gothic architectural style and completed in 1935, is actually the second chemistry facility to be built on campus. The first was constructed in 1906, just north of Old Main, but became too small and outmoded for the sciences. A newer science building was considered earlier and was part of the master plan drawn up in 1925. It was one of the buildings recommended by a committee of the Arkansas Legislature in 1927 and was part of a building program approved by the Legislature in 1931, but the Great Depression caused further funding delays. When it became apparent that the state was not going to issue construction bonds, the University administration turned to the federal government.
The architectural firm of Wittenberg & Delony of Little Rock, along with L.L. Browne, superintendent of buildings and grounds, had preliminary plans in the hands of Public Works Administration (PWA) officials by April 1933. Jamieson and Spearl of St. Louis, designers of the 1925 campus plan, served as consulting architects. Funding was made available in January 1934 when it was announced that loans and grants of $1,165,000 were coming from the PWA for the construction of the new Chemistry Building and a new, separate library building (Vol Walker Library). As it turned out, none of the construction money was supplied by the Arkansas Legislature, but the state was obligated to fund the debt service, insurance, and maintenance of these buildings. These were the first of several University buildings to be funded through the PWA during the 1930s and early 1940s.
Construction bids were opened May 28, 1934, and the contract was awarded to Manhattan Construction Co. of Muskogee, Okla., with additional contracts beings awarded for infrastructure needs. Groundbreaking for the two new buildings was held July 30, 1934. The cornerstone for the Chemistry Building was laid in late January 1935. The building was finished in December 1935.
Earlier, on June 10, 1935, and in connection with commencement, a dedication was held for both the Chemistry Building and Vol Walker Library. Dr. Edward Bartow, president of the American Chemical Society, was the main speaker at the Chemistry Building dedication.
First occupying the building were the departments of chemistry, zoology, geology, philosophy, and psychology until an increase in enrollment demanded that the entire building be used for only chemistry. That was evidently the intent because "Chemistry" was carved in stone over the entrance to the building.
In October 1992, construction began on a Chemistry and Biochemistry Research Building immediately southeast of the Chemistry Building. This new building was completed in the fall of 1994 and is connected to the Chemistry Building by a skywalk on the second floor. This greatly increased the space that was sorely needed by the department.
The Chemistry Building was accepted for listing in the National Register of Historic Places in September 1992.