LOCATION 6: VAN RAALTE COMMONS

Site of Van Raalte Hall

On April 28, 1980, Van Raalte Hall was totally destroyed by fire. Fundraising for its construction began in 1897, the year the City of Holland was celebrating its 50th anniversary. The building was built to meet the needs of the growing science departments. The structure was dedicated on September 16, 1903, and named in honor of the founder of the city and college, Rev. Albertus C. Van RaalteThe administrative offices were housed here from 1945 to 1980.

Van Raalte Commons

Twelfth Street between College and Columbia Avenues was closed during the summer of 1980. After Van Raalte Hall burned down in April, the Van Raalte name was transferred to this lovely, broad expanse of grass. On May 7, 1983, a piece of modern sculpture was dedicated in honor of the founder of the college. The sculpture, entitled Ballyviktor, is by the artist Stuart Luckman. The sculptor attempted to pick up features of the college's heritage and buildings in the piece. The series of crosses arranged in a stepped fashion form the main piece, the square blocks reflect the Dutch tile floors in old Dutch master paintings and the black and white floor in the narthex of Dimnent Memorial Chapel, and the main piece picks up the stepped facade of Voorhees Hall.

Location 7: Historical Marker of Western Seminary