The St. Olaf College Archives chose this winter view of St. Olaf College from their collection:

View of St. Olaf College, Northfield, January 1888

This iconic view of St. Olaf College's Old Main building was captured by Ole G. Felland on January 21, 1888 from the roof of Ladies' Hall. A faculty member and the first St. Olaf College librarian, Felland was also an avid amateur photographer. His collection of over 1,600 glass negatives document St. Olaf campus life and his domestic life.

For nearly 25 years, Old Main was the only permanent building on what would eventually become the greater St. Olaf campus. Dedicated on November 6, 1878, the fourth anniversary of the founding of the school, it housed classrooms, men’s dormitories, the president’s residence, a chapel, as well as the campus’ only kitchen and dining hall. The separate Ladies' Hall (built in 1879) housed female students in a small wooden building in the woods. Felland and his family lived at Ladies' Hall for several years.

From his high vantage point, Felland gave us the first documentation of St. Olaf College's iconic Old Main. Photographers have recreated this photo several times over cementing this image as the one people conjure up in their minds when they think of St. Olaf. Felland's photos are particularly important because they capture the growing campus and St. Olaf community.

We cannot think of another image that so clearly represents St. Olaf. Ole G. Felland's photographs and his life story are a favorite of ours. Beyond capturing campus scenes he photographed his family and garden. His photos convey humor and love for his family and community.

Also, we love to see this photo side by side with our current view of Old Main and the Hill! It's amazing to look back almost 140 years and see how much our campus has changed and yet also remained constant.

St. Olaf College Archives in Northfield, Minnesota, maintains records, photographs, recordings, textiles, and objects relating to the history and culture of St. Olaf College. The Ole G. Felland photograph collection is a standout collection among the College Archives’ holdings. Early faculty member and first College librarian, Ole G. Felland’s photographs document the beginnings of St. Olaf College and the community who helped found it. For the Minnesota Digital Library, St. Olaf College Archives contributed Felland’s images of the original college buildings: the main building, Ladies' Hall (the first women's dormitory), Ytterboe Hall (the first men's dormitory), Steensland Library, Hoyme Chapel and the president's house.

Browse the St. Olaf College Archives collection in MDL.

See more favorites using the page links below.