Widney Alumni House: A Legacy of Education and Community at USC
Located in South Los Angeles, within Los Angeles County, California, the Widney Alumni House stands as a testament to the rich history of the University of Southern California (USC). As the oldest university building in Southern California, it has been in continuous use since 1880, bearing witness to the institution's growth and evolution.
The Genesis of USC and Widney's Vision
The story of Widney Alumni House is inextricably linked to the founding of USC itself. Judge Robert Maclay Widney, an Ohio native who arrived in Los Angeles in February 1868, played a pivotal role in establishing the university. With a background as a risk-taking businessman and a willingness to take a stand, Widney's foresight proved invaluable. He acquired land in lieu of legal fees from a bankrupt land baron, Abel Stearns.
Widney's commitment to the community extended beyond his business ventures. He famously defended himself in a saloon, demonstrating his resolve, and later, as a federal judge, presided over the trials of rioters involved in deadly anti-Chinese riots. In a pivotal moment, Widney presented his idea of building a university to Methodist Episcopal Church elders, securing their support.
The Birth of Widney Hall
Dedicated on September 4, 1880, Widney Hall opened its doors to students on October 6, 1880, under the leadership of USC's first president, Marion McKinley Bovard. The building was constructed on land generously donated by Ozro W. Childs, John G. Downey, and Isaias W. Hellman, representing a collective commitment to fostering education in the region. The construction cost was $5,060, including furnishings. On that foggy Saturday, one-tenth of the population of Los Angeles braved the town’s sprawling dirt roads to witness history: the laying of the cornerstone for USC’s first building.
Initially, Widney Hall served multiple purposes, hosting religious services, classrooms, and the school library. As USC expanded, the building adapted to the changing needs of the university.
Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
Architectural Evolution and Relocation
Widney Hall's initial Italianate design, crafted by Ezra F. Kysor and Octavius Morgan, has undergone several transformations over the years. While the porch and a back portion of the building have been lost, efforts have been made to preserve its historical character.
Over the years, the building has garnered status as a state historical landmark and adapted gracefully to change. It has moved four times, first from north of Bovard Auditorium to where the Physical Education Building now sits. A second change (using rolling dollies, as seen in this 1955 photo), carefully resettled it across from Doheny Memorial Library, where it was home to the USC Thornton School of Music for decades. The building has been relocated multiple times on the USC campus. In 1955, it was moved using rolling dollies to a location across from Doheny Memorial Library, where it housed the USC Thornton School of Music for many years.
In 1977, Gin D. Wong Associates undertook a restoration project to bring Widney Hall back to a fair representation of its original appearance.
A Hub for Alumni Engagement
In October 1977, Widney Hall was renamed Widney Alumni House. From 1976 to 2010, the USC Alumni Association's main office was located in Widney Alumni House. It became a central hub for alumni engagement and activities. The USC Alumni Association supports more than 100 affiliated alumni organizations, including regional, alumnae (women’s), generational, affinity and school-based groups, and industry networks. These groups collectively distribute nearly four million dollars each year in scholarships for USC students. In addition, the association hosts hundreds of events and programs around the world, and provides benefits and services to all USC alumni.
The first University of Southern California alumni association was established in 1885 by George F. Bovard, Class of 1884, who later became USC’s fourth president. Today’s alumni association was founded as the General Alumni Association (GAA) in 1923 under Edward L. Doheny Jr., its first president. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the GAA was the university’s primary fundraiser. In 1927, it created the Bureau of Employment, a job placement office in the Student Union Building for students and alumni. Nevertheless, in 1930, the GAA raised the funds to donate the Trojan Shrine (Tommy Trojan) to USC. Also in the 1930s, the GAA donated the land around the new Doheny Library (today’s Alumni Park) and, in 1932, established the Asa V.
Read also: Baylor's Notable Alumni
In the late 1990s, the GAA changed its name to the USC Alumni Association.
Recognition and Legacy
Widney Alumni House has received several accolades throughout its history, solidifying its importance as a historical landmark. In 1955, during USC's 75th anniversary, it was designated a state historical landmark, bearing the distinction of California Historical Landmark No. 536. Furthermore, it is recognized as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 70. The state’s dedication plaque (Widney Hall is California Historical Landmark No. 536), from 1955, gives about as much information as I plan on digging up here.“Dedicated on September 4, 1880, this original building of the University of Southern California has been in use continuously for educational purposes since its doors were first opened to students on October 6, 1880, by the university’s first president, Marion McKinley Bovard. The building was constructed on land donated by Ozro W. Childs, John G. Downey and Isaias W. Hellman under the guiding hand of Judge Robert M. Widney, the university’s leading founder.”
A historical marker at the intersection of Exposition Boulevard and Pardee Way commemorates Widney's contributions and the building's significance. This marker features illustrations depicting USC's founders, early images of Widney Hall, and historical context about the university's origins.
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
tags: #Widney #Alumni #House #history
