Old Main Burns Down in February, 1950

  • The alarm sounded at 5:15 p.m. on February 21, 1950
  • It was so cold, the fire department had trouble getting their equipment over the slippery streets
  • By the time the fire department arrived, Old Main was completely engulfed in flames
  • Extremely low water pressure further hampered the efforts of the fire fighters
  • The moment the main tower fell
  • You could see the flames for miles
  • The fire lasted throughout the night and most of the next morning to extinguish
  • Before the fire of 1950
  • After the fire of 1950
  • Aerial view after the 1950 fire, with the Alumni Building still standing
  • The aftermath of the great fire of 1950.
  • The aftermath of the great fire of 1950.