The stone arch that once hailed welcome at the west side of campus will be reconstructed in time to greet those on hand for an Oct. 4 Homecoming dedication.
“It is one of the portals to the university,” said Patty Bergstedt, WSU’s architectural lead on the project located on Oak Street. The position of the entrance was one of the criteria established by the university’s project team, which includes associate architect Lee Jones and civil engineer Gary Wells.
Other factors included proximity to the site of the original arch and the desire to place the new one in an older part of campus.
The class of 1947 began funding reconstruction as part of its 50th reunion celebration. The class of 1997 opted to co-fund the project as a tribute to the elder alumni. Together with the WSU Foundation, the total cost of the $100,000 project was funded through contributions.
The original arch was dedicated in 1905 and was perhaps 30 feet tall. Research hasn’t turned up when it was torn down, according to a recent article in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
Pat Caraher, longtime editor of Washington State Magazine, said the arch was gone when he arrived on campus in 1957.
WSU has contracted with Sellers Masonry Inc. of Spokane to construct an arch believed to be about three-quarters the size of the original. It will stand 25 feet, 8 inches tall and will be 4 feet, 4 inches deep.
Design, drawing and siting were done by WSU, and staff has continued to participate as John Sellers and his stonemasons construct the new arch.
“We are working with him and learning from him,” Bergstedt said. “Every project is a learning project.”