Saint Edward's University Main Building

On Thursday April 9th 1903, the original 1888 building was completely destroyed in a fire and had to be rebuilt. Reconstruction started quickly and it was rebuilt within the year. The repaired Main Building was dedicated on Saint Edward's Day on October 13th 1903.

The building was also severely damaged in 1922 by a tornado that swept over downtown. A famous picture exists of this tornado flying over the State Capitol in a 1923 edition of National Geographic Magazine.

Construction of the original 1888 building started on July 16, 1888. The building was completed sometime in mid-1889.

The Main Building is sometimes called "Old Main" (although there has never been a "New Main"). It has functioned as Saint Edward's University's main building since its completion.

Saint Edward's University dates back to 1878 but was officially founded in 1885 by Rev. Edward Sorin of the Holy Cross Fathers and Brothers. This was the same congregation that founded the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

The school opened in 1878 with only 3 students. Today Saint Edward's University enrolls more than 4,000 students.

Saint Edward's University Main Building sits on an exinct volcano in South Central Austin overlooking downtown to the north. The elevation of the land here is 669 feet above sea level which is higher than any spot in downtown giving the campus splendid views of the skyline.

Saint Edward's University Main Building was the first high-rise in Austin south of the river and held the title of tallest from 1889 to 1982 when the Hyatt Regency Hotel was completed.