Named for William Albert Locy. But who was he? Locy Hall stands before you. It houses various academic classrooms at Northwestern University. William Albert Locy was a professor of zoology. He taught at Northwestern from 1895 to 1916. Locy Hall got its name to honor him.
Originally, this building had different names. It was once known as Locy Laboratory. Another name was Emergency Hall. It also went by Fisk Hall Annex. Eventually, it was officially named Locy Hall. This recognized Professor Locy’s contributions.
Locy Hall is located along Campus Drive. Look north of Fisk Hall. You will easily spot Locy Hall. Before 2010, the Department of Earth and Planetary Science called Locy Hall home. Now, it serves other academic purposes.
Northwestern University has a rich history. Its Evanston campus started in 1851. This was just one year after the university’s founding. The campus features about 150 buildings. They stand on 240 acres.
Unlike some universities, Northwestern’s campus wasn’t master-planned. Buildings vary in architectural style and age. This is partly due to the university’s fluctuating finances. Early buildings showcase Victorian and Gothic styles. Neoclassical and Renaissance-Revival styles are also present.
Many buildings were commissioned in the Collegiate Gothic style. James Gamble Rogers designed them. He was a notable campus architect. After the war, brutalist projects expanded the campus. One example is the University Library expansion. Walter Netsch designed it.
Locy Hall itself was built in 1928. It has been a vital part of Northwestern for almost a century. It has adapted to the changing needs of the university.
The oldest standing building on campus is University Hall. It was built in 1869. Harris Hall, designed by Charles Coolidge, was completed in 1915. Annie May Swift Hall showcases Venetian Gothic Revival style. Daniel H. Burnham designed Fisk Hall in the Romanesque Revival style.
Northwestern’s campus extends into Lake Michigan. This is the Northwestern University Lakefill. It was created in 1964. New projects continue to shape the campus. These include facilities for music, business, and athletics.
Locy Hall continues to support Northwestern’s academic mission. It serves as a reminder of William Albert Locy’s legacy. This building helps shape the future of countless students.