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Here is a picture taken from a stereograph taken by Martin Morrison of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on November 18, 1885. When Ames historian Farwell Brown saw this, he immediately recognized the large building in the center background. That building, he said, is "Old Main". It was built between 1864 and 1868 with another addition build in 1871.

This building housed both staff and students of Ames College. In fact, this building housed the entire college including classrooms, the dining hall, a museum, chapel, and the library. A fire destroyed the North wing in Dec. of 1900 and a second fire destroyed the remaining structure in 1902. Shortly, thereafter, plans for the new building called Beardshear Hall was developed.

This is another shot of Ames College by Martin Morrison taken from his original stereograph.

The caption reads, "Agricultural College of Ames." This picture was taken from the Southwest. Not sure of the year this picture was taken but it probably was around 1885.

You can see another view of "Old Main" in the center. The building to the right may be the first building build on the Ames College land known as the "Farmhouse."