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.

land on which UC was built
The land on which the university was built (Swift Hall), 1890/1891

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

campus buildings
University Buildings, 1893?

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

UC botany pond
Botany pond with Ryerson Lab in the background, 1903

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Foster Hall women's dorm
Foster Hall, a women's dormitory, 1892

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Photograph of six women students
Members of the Quadranglers, a club for women students, 1894

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Scrapbook page with portraits of six women
Members of the Esoteric Club, circa 1900-1911

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

musical groups
Glee and Serenade Clubs, 1894/1895

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

philosophy club photo
Philosophy Club, 1895/1896

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Women's athletics, juniors and seniors. Louise just made a basket.
Women students playing basketball, 1902

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

women's gymnastics
Women's gymnastics, 1900s

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Charles Allen, football team member
Western Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association, 120 yard hurdles, 1900, original photo.

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

fencing
Fencing, 1916

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

UC football team
UC Football Team, 1892

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

UC baseball team
UC Baseball Team, 1893

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Photograph of four student members of the ROTC on horseback
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), 1926

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

college summer metal class
College metal class, 1906

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

photo of first recipient of a UC Ph.D
Eiji Asada, recipient of the first Ph.D degree awarded by UC, 1893

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

seventh convocation
Seventh University of Chicago convocation, 1894

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

decorations for prom
Taking "decorations" loaned by Taft Studio to Bartlett Gym for the "Greek garden" prom, 1909?

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

UC carnival
UC students dancing around a maypole at a university carnival, 1910

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.