LeConte Hall – UGA 53 (1938, Category 2). LeConte Hall was designed by Robert Driftmier and Roy Hitchcock and built in 1938 with the support of PWA funding. It was named for Joseph LeConte, an 1841 graduate, who became a distinguished science professor, and later helped establish the University of California at Berkeley.
LeConte Hall is located south of the main library on the steep slope overlooking Baldwin Street. It anchors the south end of North Campus along with Park Hall. LeConte Hall was constructed as a science building. After construction of the science center in 1960, the building became available for other programs. Today the building is occupied by the Department of History.
LeConte Hall is a three-story building. Its ground floor level is painted stucco and deeply scored to resemble stone. The main and upper floors are brick. On the south elevation overlooking Baldwin Street a symmetrical facade features tall Ionic limestone columns and an entrance at the main floor level that is reached from the sides by steep stairs. The original door frame and transom of the entrance remain, but a new metal door has been installed.
On the north side of the building, which is more accessible, northward projections of the building create a continuous courtyard and doorways at the place where the two side wings enter into the building’s stairwells. LeConte has a wood cornice and copper gutters and downspouts. New metal replacement windows have been installed with internal applied muntins. The sash appear to function as awnings.
LeConte Hall retains integrity and appears to contribute to a National Register- eligible historic district. It is assessed as a Category 2 resource.
