Plymouth Building |
The Plymouth building, located at Plymouth and Lockwood in Webster Groves, was the
site of the university's original gymnasium called "Idle Hour". The property was sold to the Webster Groves School District in 1945. The school
district eventually built and operated a junior high school on the location. Webster
University (Webster College at that time) leased the building from the school district
in August 1978. Webster attempted to buy the property through the years, but its final
offer of $725,000 was rejected in 1984. That year Cordage Mill Development Co. bought
the property for $1,016,100. It subsequently demolished the building in the fall of
1985 and built the Ashford condominiums.
Webster made extensive use of the building during its lease. Plymouth housed the art, language and literature, and dance departments. The Cecille R. Hunt Art Gallery opened on March 23, 1983. A student union opened on April 9, 1984, on the first floor. The gym was renovated for the new athletic department in 1984. Management classes met there at night. In addition, university services such as admissions, financial aid, academic advising, and student services were located at Plymouth.
References
Brady, Gary. (1978, September 28). WC pilgrims settle Plymouth. The Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, p. 8.
Daigh, Allie. (1984, April 19). Student union debuts with ceremony. The Journal, vol. 15, no. 15, p. 3.
Dalba, Rosary M. (1984, September 6). School district stalls Plymouth sale again. The Journal, vol. 16, no. 2, p. 1, 6.
Dalba, Rosary M. (1984, November 15). WU misses boat on Plymouth sale. The Journal, vol. 16, no. 11, p. 1, 8.
Flynn, Damien. (1982, September 30). Art gallery draws on wasted Plymouth space. The Journal, vol. 14, no. 4, p. 1, 7.
Gamma, Patti. (1984, September 6). Union opens with new features. The Journal, vol. 16, no. 2, p. 5.
Kuda, Joan. (1985, August 26). Master plan on proposal block. The Journal, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 1, 7.
Nappier, Gary. (1985, October 10). Bye-bye Plymouth: Demolition slated to begin soon. The Journal, vol. 17, no. 6, p. 1,3.
Queen, Scott. (1984, February 16). Plymouth bid not enough, official says. The Journal, vol. 15, no. 17, p. 4.
Rediscovering Plymouth. (1979, May 8). The Journal, vol. 8, no. 20, p. 8. [photographs].
Simonis, Peter. (1983, April 7). WU dedicates new gallery: Art endowment fund created. The Journal, vol. 14, no. 22, p. 1.
Termites make way for Gorlocks. (1984, August 23). The Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, p. 5.