Old Main

Old Main is a signature building on Concordia’s campus. Originally termed New Main or Main Building, the structure was built in 1906 to accommodate the increasing size of Concordia’s student body. President Bogstad conceived the creation of New Main. Calling a special board meeting, Bogstad suggested that a new building (at a cost of $50,000) be built to meet the educational and recreational needs of Concordia. The board, however, suggested the new structure not cost more than $25,000. The board also did not acquiesce to Bogstad’s idea of purchasing a cabbage field along Eighth Street on which to build the structure. Despite this resistance, Bogstad diligently worked to secure a $12,500 donation from Andrew Carnegie that would take effect once Concordia raised $37,000. In 1905, the board realized that a $50,000 building was possible, but the land upon which to erect it was no longer for sale. When the board inquired as to who owned the land, Bogstad, who had personally purchased the cabbage field for $500, agreed to sell it for the original purchase price plus interest. In addition to classrooms, New Main also housed the library, gymnasium, auditorium as well as faculty and administrative offices. Now named Old Main, it was remodeled in 1964, again in 1976 as a C-400 project, and once more in 1994.