Case Main Reconstruction
Determined to rebuild and expand, President Staley led the effort to restore the Case Main building and to continue with the upward trajectory. The priorities were based on the following strategy: construct modest buildings, primarily of brick or stone, with adequate furnishings and equip with top-of-the-line laboratory instruments and professional tools. The overriding sense of financial caution persisted since the major source of income was from the Land Trust gift of Leonard Case, Jr.
Reconstruction of the building started immediately. First two floors were restored by 1888 which allowed for classes to resume in the building. Third floor was restored in 1890 and the fourth floor was restored in 1890. The fourth floor was converted into a gymnasium. A library and reading room held encyclopedias and reference works and was staffed by members of the English department. The original tall tower was never reconstructed.
For safety reasons, a wooden frame building was built for Chemistry south of Case Main immediately after the fire. This new building opened in February 1887.
The wooden building was replaced by a new brick building that opened in 1892.
