The Rise and Fall of McCormick Hall: A Marquette University Landmark
Marquette University, a private Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1881. Over the years, the university has grown and evolved, with its campus reflecting these changes through its buildings and facilities. Among these structures, McCormick Hall held a unique place in the memories of many Marquette students. This article explores the history of McCormick Hall, from its conception and construction to its eventual demolition.
Marquette University: A Brief Overview
Founded 145 years ago by John Martin Henni, the first Catholic bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Marquette University has become a prominent institution of higher education. Named after Father Jacques Marquette, a 17th-century missionary and explorer, the university initially aimed to provide affordable Catholic education to the growing German immigrant population in the area.
Marquette officially became a university in 1907, after affiliating with a local medical school and relocating to its current campus. Today, Marquette is organized into 11 schools and colleges, offering a wide range of programs in liberal arts, business, communication, education, engineering, law, and health sciences.
The Genesis of McCormick Hall
In the mid-1960s, Marquette University faced a pressing need for additional student housing. To address this, the university embarked on a project to construct a new residence hall. The 12-story facility was originally envisioned to have a twin building built immediately north of it, but that plan never came to fruition. The partially completed facility was known as Dorm #1, until Victor McCormick donated $2.5 million to the university shortly after the building opened.
Victor McCormick: The Hall's Namesake
Victor McCormick, a 1922 graduate of Marquette's Law School, made a substantial fortune through investments in the Proctor and Gamble Corporation. In 1952, he was named Alumnus of the Year and later received the Founder of Marquette designation in recognition of his generous donation. At the time, McCormick's $2.5 million gift was the largest single donation the university had ever received.
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However, McCormick's legacy is not without its complexities. In 1976, he suffered a severe heart attack, leading to his estate being placed under his wife's control. Subsequently, both Marquette and St. Norbert College filed lawsuits to collect the remaining pledged donations.
Architectural Identity and Student Life
McCormick Hall, located at the northeast corner of W. Wisconsin Ave. and N. 16th St., became a distinctive feature of the Marquette campus. Its curved facade earned it the nickname "the beer can" among generations of students. The 725-bed residence hall served as a "freshman dorm" for many, fostering countless memories and experiences.
The university even capitalized on the building's unique identity, selling can koozies to commemorate McCormick Hall. According to a statement from Marquette University, "Our alumni have always had fond memories of McCormick Hall and the role it played in their transformational experience at Marquette University. We have been very aware of the sentimentality for ‘the can’ and wanted to give our alumni and parents the opportunity to purchase something fun to remember McCormick Hall." The university sold over 2,000 McCormick Hall koozies, with proceeds going towards the university.
The Decision to Demolish
Despite its significance to many alumni, Marquette University ultimately decided to demolish McCormick Hall. University representatives stated that the building was no longer "economically prudent" to operate. Additionally, demolition activity in the area, particularly related to the Bradley Center, resulted in a discounted rate for leveling the structure. The demolition came as part of a 2016 campus master plan under which the university has focused on improving student housing.
The Demolition Process and Safety Measures
The demolition of McCormick Hall was carried out by Veit, a demolition contractor. The process involved meticulous attention to the site plan and strict adherence to safety standards to protect the crew, the public, and the student body.
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To mitigate dust and debris, custom-built demolition screens were used. These screens, composed of chain-link fence and geotextile fabric, were hung from mobile hydraulic cranes during structural demolition and from the building itself during the soft strip. At the base of the screen, a tall steel bang board deflected any materials caught by the screen back onto the site, preventing them from entering the public right-of-way.
Veit invested time prior to starting work in pre-demolition planning and a comprehensive health and safety plan.
The Future of the Site
Demolition contractor Veit made quick work of the structure with the site planned to become a grass lot. The monumental amount of brick, steel and concrete underlying the foundation of Marquette may just turn out to be a whole lot of brick, steel and concrete. What comes next for the corner lot remains to be seen.
Marquette University's Ongoing Transformation
The demolition of McCormick Hall is just one aspect of a larger $600 million transformation project on the Marquette University campus. As part of this project, a new recreation and wellness center is being built for the University's student population.
Marquette has absorbed many existing buildings in the area, especially for use as residence halls. Some examples of absorbed buildings include Charles Cobeen Hall, a former hotel, and M. Carpenter Tower, an Art Deco building, both constructed in the 1920s on 11th Street that have been converted into undergraduate residence halls. Glenn Humphrey Hall, a student residence hall that prior to the 2015-16 school year served as a university apartment building, was once the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. David Straz Tower, formerly the Downtown Milwaukee YMCA, is now a residence hall, recreation center, and administrative office building. Mashuda Hall, a sophomore dorm, was once the Coach House Motor Inn, where The Beatles stayed during their tour in 1964. Abbottsford Hall served as The Abbottsford Hotel until the university purchased it for use as graduate apartments. It was converted into a freshman residence hall prior to the 2005-2006 academic year. Of the nine current student residence halls, only three (O'Donnell Hall, Schroeder Hall, and McCormick Hall) were built by the university.
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McCormick Hall was razed following the 2018-19 academic year and replaced by Wild Commons, a residence hall for freshman and sophomore students named after former university president Robert Wild. A few weeks after opening for the 2018-19 academic year, Wild requested his name be removed from the building due to his mishandling of accusations of sexual abuse of minors against three Jesuits under his jurisdiction during his time as Provincial Superior of the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus from 1985 to 1991. It has since been renamed The Commons.
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