Madison, University of Wisconsin, Bascom Hall
Again borrowing from the UW Alumni website, and condensing a bit, “Bascom Hall is one of UW’s oldest and most iconic buildings. While its bones are mostly the same, the current façade has seen quite a few changes since its construction in 1859, then called University Hall or Main Hall. A rounded portico was squared off in 1895, and remains today. The next major change came in 1898 when construction began on the south wing. Enrollment at the university reached 3,000 students by 1905 — and the UW responded by building a north wing. Then, in 1916, came perhaps the most noticeable change: the dome caught fire and burned down, collapsing into a water cistern in the building’s attic (which, legend has it, is still accessible, and the charring is still visible). In 1920, the building was renamed Bascom Hall to honor the former university president John Bascom.” What we at GPS get from this is that the unused B&W real-photo card was printed sometime after 1920. Grade: 1