In 1909 $30,000 was appropriated for the Veterinary Building (Old Van Es Hall). The Spectrum stated that "The plans are completed for the Veterinary building and building operations will be started as soon as the frost it [sic] out of the ground. This building will be modern in every respect. The main section of the building will be 60 feet by 70 feet and will consist of a large amphitheater, classrooms, and lockers on the first floor while the second floor will be given to office and laboratories. There will be two wings, one 19x35 feet devoted to a desecting [sic] room and the other 40x30 which will be used as a stable and hospital..." (The Spectrum, March 23, 1909, p. 1).
The construction of the Veterinary Building went smoothly and by September 1909 it was nearly enclosed. It was located on the main walk, facing east just north of Frances Hall. The building was a two-story structure measuring 73 feet by 92 feet. The first floor contained class and dissecting rooms as well as a large clinic amphitheater in the North East corner. The second floor contained more classrooms and laboratories. On the building's west side was a good-sized barn where animals used for demonstration purposes were kept (The Spectrum, September 28, 1909, p. 1).
By February 1910, The Veterinary Department had established itself in the new building and by the last week of February the interior was finished. The Spectrum stated, "According to contract this work should have been completed at the opening of the winter term, but owing to various delays nearly six weeks over contract time were required" but "everything now is completed, however, and the Vets are just proud of their quarters." The building was divided into three principal parts, the classroom, laboratories, and infirmary with dissecting rooms and a small abattois [sic, abattoir] attached. The attachments were connected to each other "by a long corridor leading the whole length of the building."
The Spectrum continued its description of the Department's new building by noting, "On the first floor in front is one large class room and museum, and the clinic amphitheater. This last is particularly well adapted to the purpose. It is well lighted from all sides and is large enough to accommodate at least two hundred students so that all would have a good view of proceedings in the operating pit. The floor and walls of the operating pit are of cement. An alley gives direct communication with the barn making on the whole a most convenient arrangement. The instrument room is situated under the seats of the amphitheater so as to be within easy reach of the operating pit."
"On the second floor are the offices, the State Serum Laboratory class rooms and Laboratories. Returning to the first floor and proceeding down the corridor we come to the dissecting room. This is a large cement finished room with special lighting facilities so that a good light may be had from all sides at any time. An enlargement in the corridor forms a killing room in connection, and the two are connected by an overhead track to facilitate the carrying of weighty specimens from one to the other. The tables and other equipment in the dissecting room are very complete making it up to date in every respect. At the extreme end of the corridor is the barn in which animals for treatment or experimental purposes are to be kept. This structure is built with a special view to obtaining the most sanitary conditions possible. Floors and walls are all of cement and such woodwork as was necessary is covered with galvanized iron."
"The barn is of moderate size, being equipped with five box and five single stalls. At the end of the corridor adjoining the barn is an appartment [sic] in which are kept small animals. A water heater, also located in the corridor, supplies the entire building with hot water so that either hot or cold water may be had at any time. This is a particularly convenient feature in the various kinds of work carried on in the building. The entire interior arrangement of the building shows admirable planning. Each room is directly connected with those where related work is carried on, and the equipment throughout is so complete that students in this department are assured of every facility in their work."
"Most
of the apparatus ordered is now on hand and by strenuous activity on the part
of the Vets, has been installed as fast as it came in. One large shipment from
France is still to arrive. This new building and the department which it contains
is a matter of no little pride to the college, and fills a long felt want in
the state. Everything pertaining to the Veterinary course is the best to be
had, and in the future those desiring thoro [sic] training in this profession
will not be obliged to go to distant institutions to obtain it" (The Spectrum,
Tuesday, February 22, 1910, p. 2).
In 1927 an animal building, reserved for experimental purposes along lines of animal pathology and hygiene, was constructed on the building's west side. The building, which measured 56 feet by 32 feet, doubled the space available for large animals. The interior was divided into 12 pens or stalls, each measuring 7 feet by 12 feet. Three of the pens were complete box stalls with enclosures on all sides. In the twelve pens, sheep, cattle and hogs were kept and carefully observed during the various experiments (The Spectrum, October 7, 1927, p. 2).
During the 1950s, the Veterinary Building underwent two changes. In 1951 a third story was added and in 1952, a week after the rededication of Ladd Hall and in connection with the meeting of the Veterinary Medical Association of North Dakota, it was rededicated as Van Es Laboratory in honor of Dr. Leunis Van Es. Dr. Van Es who was at the College from 1902 to 1920 served for fifteen years (1903-1918) as the head of the Veterinary Science Department and one year as Director of the Experiment Station (The Spectrum, September 7, 1973, p. 18; Hunter, p.200, 282).
By the 1970s, the condition of Van Es Hall had deteriorated greatly. Pipes froze during the winter; infectious disease research could not be carried out due to inadequate holding areas; pigeons entered the post-mortem room through the rotted areas in the roof; and infectious material could not be disposed of because the incinerator was "inadequate" and possibly "illegal" (The Spectrum, December 8, 1972, p. 7). The following fall, the State Legislature appropriated $1.78 million to build a new veterinary science building to the west of Stevens Hall. Van Es (now referred to as "Dung" Hall) would be demolished as well as its barn due to "its smell and decrepit condition" (The Spectrum, September 7, 1973, p. 18).
By
1976, the new Veterinary Science building was completed and named Van Es Hall.
The building was 32,000 square feet and houses the Bacteriology and Veterinary
Science Departments. Due to its proximity and overlap of classes with Stevens
Hall, a tunnel connects the two buildings (The Spectrum, March 12, 1976,
p. 5). Today it houses the Veterinary Science Department, Microbiology and the
Diagnostic Lab.
Architectural Information (new Van Es)
Clark & Holman, architects.
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