Old Campus - History

History

The first building of Yale College (Old College) in New Haven was built here in 1718 where Bingham Hall now stands. Falling into disrepair, this building was ultimately destroyed by students in 1782. Beginning with Connecticut Hall in 1750, the buildings of Old Brick Row were built here. The campus plan for Old Brick Row was developed by John Trumbull and James Hillhouse. It was the first planned college campus in the United States and served as a model for other campuses. Old Brick Row included four dormitories: Union Hall (South College), Connecticut Hall (South Middle), Berkeley Hall (North Middle), and North College. In between, there was Atheneum (First Chapel), Connecticut Lyceum, and Second Chapel.

The Yale Fence, which ran along on College in front of Old Brick Row, was a favorite of many generations of students. Plans for new buildings led to its demise in 1888. The Yale Fence Club was named in its memory. The fence currently lining Old Campus also evokes the old fence.

Many other buildings stood on the Old Campus which were removed to make way for the current configuration of structures, including The Old Laboratory (1782–1888), The Cabinet (1819–1890), Trumbull Gallery (1832–1901), Alumni Hall (1853–1911, Alexander Jackson Davis; the towers from this building were rescued and rebuilt behind the tomb of Skull and Bones), Old Dwight Hall (1885–1926, J. Cleaveland Cady), and Osborn Hall (1888–1926, Bruce Price).