Preview
Creation Date
1-1-1927
Description
Date Built-1927
Architect - Brinton Davis
Cost of Construction - $120,000
Renovation - $40,000
The plant is located on the lower end of campus next to the railroad tracks. After the plant was built, every building on campus had an even temperature. When it was first built, the plant contained two 200 horsepower water tube boilers. In 1930, a 400 horsepower boiler was installed.
Additions:
1938 - $40,000 donated to modernize and expand heating plant; "The contemplated project includes the installation of a reconditioned boiler with new automatic stokers, the laying of a steam pipeline to the new music building, and the construction of an "indicted draft" system for the plant's smokestack." [Heating Plant on Western Campus to be Worked On, 6-20-38]
1957 - $120,000 new boiler installed. The boiler eliminated fly-ash and soot. The new boiler supplied five more buildings on campus than before.
1963 - $400,000 addition added; the addition increased the heating capacity of the plant by 1/2. In 1963, this reconstruction was the 12th major one on campus since 1956.
Park City Daily News:
"$402,725 is Low Bid On WSC Heating Plant," nd
"Enlargement of Heating Unit at Western Sought," Oct. 26, 1937
"Heating Plant On Western Campus to Be Worked On," June 20, 1938
"Low Bidders Listed On Western Work," June 29, 1963
"Western Heating Plant Damaged by Fire Last Night," April 27, 1956
"Western Project Nets Firm a Statewide Honor," Oct. 10, 1993
Imel, Joe. "That Sinking Feeling," Photograph, July 19, 1994
Louisville-Courier Journal:
"Heating Plant for Western," April 13, 1963
Keywords
Western Kentucky University