Campus Life
These photographs depict early students, university buildings, social events, academic classes, clubs, and sporting events at the University of Chicago. They provide more personal glimpses into the lives and surroundings of the students that attended the New University in fledgling years.
More images of campus life from the founding of the University of Chicago to the present may be found in the University of Chicago Photographic Archive .
The land on which the university was built (Swift Hall), 1890/1891
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
University Buildings, 1893?
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Botany pond with Ryerson Lab in the background, 1903
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Foster Hall, a women's dormitory, 1892
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Members of the Quadranglers, a club for women students, 1894
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Members of the Esoteric Club, circa 1900-1911
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Glee and Serenade Clubs, 1894/1895
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Philosophy Club, 1895/1896
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Women students playing basketball, 1902
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Women's gymnastics, 1900s
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Western Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association, 120 yard hurdles, 1900, original photo.
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Fencing, 1916
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
UC Football Team, 1892
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
UC Baseball Team, 1893
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), 1926
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
College metal class, 1906
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Eiji Asada, recipient of the first Ph.D degree awarded by UC, 1893
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Seventh University of Chicago convocation, 1894
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Taking "decorations" loaned by Taft Studio to Bartlett Gym for the "Greek garden" prom, 1909?
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
UC students dancing around a maypole at a university carnival, 1910
Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.