Hardy Memorial Tower

Hardy Memorial Tower at San Diego State University, constructed as a Works Progress Administration project in 1931, is 11 stories (119.1 ft / 36.3 m) tall; it contains the Fletcher Symphonic Carillon (also known as the Fletcher Chimes) (installed 1946), consisting of 204 bells over 6 octaves.[2][3] Hardy Memorial Tower is part of the original core of the SDSU campus on Montezuma mesa,[4] and was the University's original library.[3][4][5]

Hardy Memorial Tower
Hardy Memorial Tower in February 2016
Location5300 Campanile Dr., San Diego, California
Coordinates32°46′33″N 117°4′16″W
ArchitectHoward Spencer Hazen
Architectural styleMission/Spanish Revival
Part ofSan Diego State College (ID97000924)
Added to NRHPSeptember 4, 1997[1]

Namesake

Tower

The Hardy Memorial Tower is named for Dr. Edward Hardy (1868–1958), who served as President of the State Normal School, SDSU's predecessor institution, from 1910 to 1935.[4] During his tenure the college was relocated to Montezuma Mesa, and its name was changed to San Diego State College.[4] Hardy also served on both the State and City Boards of Education, and in 1936, after his retirement, was appointed Executive Director of the San Diego Museum (now the San Diego Museum of Man).[4] Also named for Dr. Hardy are Hardy Avenue, just south of the present SDSU campus and Hardy Elementary School (located next to the SDSU campus).[4] In 1976, by permission of the statewide Board of Trustees and in gratitude for his contributions to the university, it was named the Hardy Memorial Tower.[4] Dr. Hardy's profile graces a bronze plaque designed by San Diego sculptor Donal Hord.[4]

Chimes/Bells
See also Carillon

The Fletcher Symphonic Carillon was presented as a gift to SDSU by Senator and Mrs. Ed Fletcher in 1946 to commemorate the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of the university and to serve as a memorial to students lost in war.[3][6]

Notability

Hardy Memorial Tower is recognized as an important symbol of San Diego State University to the greater San Diego community.[3][7]

In 2004, two historic murals (previously thought to be lost) were uncovered in Hardy Memorial Tower.[5] SDSU received the Governor's Historic Preservation Award in 2008 for efforts in preserving this artwork.[8][9]

  • NRA Packages, a mural painted in 1936 by Genevieve Burgeson Bredo, and for many years thought lost, has been restored and is now on display inside Malcolm A. Love Library. The mural was discovered in 2004 behind ceiling tiles inside SDSU's Hardy Memorial Tower, which was part of the university's first library. Painted in a variety of media, it portrays three men unloading National Recovery Act (NRA) packages from a van near San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood.
  • A second, larger mural, George Sorenson's San Diego Industry, remains in Hardy Memorial Tower. This mural depicts the successive stages of tuna fishing and canning, along with the multi-ethnic work force involved in that industry. The library hopes to remove, restore and relocate this mural.[3]

See Uncovering Local Art and Industry: The Discovery of Hidden WPA-Era Murals at San Diego State University (SDSU Occasional Archeological Paper Series) and SDSU Press Release: Exhibit promises wider exposure for legendary local painter and longtime SDSU art director.

Location

The Tower stands in the northwest corner of Hepner Hall Quad. In addition to classrooms and lecture halls, the Hepner Hall Quad houses the offices of the College of Health and Human Services.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Jenifer Goodwin, San Diego Union-Tribute, For 46 years, SDSU volunteer keeps bells pealing on campus (Dec. 24, 2008)
  3. SDSU Historical Buildings (University Archives, accessed July 27, 2009)
  4. Biography of Dr. Edward Hardy (San Diego Historical Society)
  5. "California's Living New Deal Project (Regents of the University of California, accessed July 27, 2009)". Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  6. Hardy Memorial Tower webpage (accessed July 27, 2009)
  7. SDSU Campus Virtual Tour
  8. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation to Present Eleven Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation (October 10, 2008)
  9. 2008 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards (Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks)
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