North Hall (University of Wisconsin), Madison

North Hall holds the distinction of being the very first building constructed for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Completed in 1851, it served as the university’s sole structure for its first four years-hosting dormitory suites, study areas, classrooms, and even a chapel before any other campus buildings existed.

Designed by architect John F. Rague in the Greek Revival style, North Hall is clad in Madison sandstone-a nod to the austerity and grace of mid‑19th‑century academic architecture . Its original interior layout included 24 student suites (each with bedrooms and a study), while the top floor was dedicated to lectures and chapel services.

The building’s early residents included notable figures like naturalist John Muir, who lived here as a university student between 1860 and 1863 . As Johnston science facilities burned in 1884, North Hall transitioned from residence to a multifunctional academic space, accommodating offices, classrooms, and departments such as political science and Scandinavian studies.

Today, North Hall retains much of its historic exterior character, with minimal alterations beyond interior remodeling. Its classic rectangular form, hipped roof, symmetrical windows, and modest cornice evoke the era of its construction, while the building’s status as a National Historic Landmark since 1965 underscores its importance in the history of higher education in Wisconsin.