History: Mechanical Engineering water oak

Water oak tree in front of the Mechanical Engineering building
Water oak 2-675 with the Mechanical Engineering building in the background. Photo by Alex Ismodes under a CC BY license

We actually don’t know that much about water oak 2-675, but are using it as an excuse to talk about the history of the Mechanical Engineering building in front of which it stands.

This photo, probably taken between 1890 and 1900, shows the Mechanical Engineering building with the smokestack for its boilers, which provided steam to heat campus buildings. Vanderbilt University Archives and Special Collections photo archives image PA.BLD.COMP.1g

The Mechanical Engineering building was one of the earliest buildings constructed on campus. In addition to housing the mechanical engineering department, it served a variety of other purposes over the years.

This plaque describes the history of the old Mechanical Engineering building

As one of the oldest buildings on campus, it was planned and dedicated by Bishop McTyeire, whose vision made Vanderbilt University a reality.

Bishop H. M. McTyeire laying cornerstone of Mechanical Engineering building
Bishop Holland N. McTyeire makes a speech in 1888 at a ceremony to dedicate the cornerstone of Mechanical Engineering Hall. Photo by James T. McGill, Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives photo archive image SC.MSS.0332.001

Bishop McTyeire was present at the laying of its cornerstone in 1888, only a year before his death.

This elaborate ornamental signage above the entrance identifies the old Mechanical Engineering building

In the photo below, taken in 1891, we can see a several features of Vanderbilt’s campus at the time. First of all, it’s clear that as its alma mater says, Vanderbilt was truly “on the city’s western border”. Numerous farms laid between Vanderbilt and Nashville proper. The many 10 to 15 year-old trees that were planted on campus are already giving Vanderbilt a very different atmosphere than its surroundings. In the photo, you can also see how Broadway Avenue leads directly from the city to Vanderbilt’s front gates.

Photo of the Mechanical Engineering building with Nashville in the distance, June 1891
This photo, taken from high up in Wesley Hall in June 1891, shows the mechanical engineering building with Nashville in the distance. Click here to see the image at full resolution. Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives photo archive image PA.CAF.SCEN.003

Here’s another view from the opposite direction at about the same time. The smokestack of the Mechanical Engineering building is visible in front of Wesley Hall and its tower from which the previous photo was probably taken.

Vanderbilt campus seen from Nashville c. 1900
View from Nashville, looking along Broadway Avenue towards Vanderbilt campus. Click here to see the entire image. Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives photo archive image PA.CAF.SCEN.001

Return to the historical tree tour page for water oak 2-675.