Principia College - Elsah, IL - Universities and Colleges on Waymarking.com

In Elsah, on top of a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, is Principia College.

The college is located east of the small village of Elsah, off Maple Street/Beltrees Road. There is a sign and a security shack.

The college is a multi-building campus that is a mixture of open space and trees. There are buildings for all functions, including modern athletic facilities to the historic chapel and classrooms. Other buildings include dining facilities, dormitories, and the science center.

Principia College was started in 1906, first as a junior college. The present college campus was built starting in 1931. Architect Benard Maybeck designed the original buildings. The first graduating class was in 1935.

Today, the buildings that Maybeck designed and built have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buildings include the chapel, which has a limestone exterior and a quaint interior that is based on an old New England meetinghouse. The 'Mistake House,' now a shed, is a wild combination of elements that were put together to test designs before they were used in buildings.

Principia College is for Christian Scientists, and is the only college of its kind. However, it is not a religious school and is not connected to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston (Headquarters of the denomination). But school/academic life is influenced by the teachings of the denomination.

The college offers over 30 majors and minors. Disciplines are diverse and included:
Art
Chemistry
Global Studies
History
Physics
Political Science
Theatre

The college has had special notoriety for its success in international solar car race competitions with other colleges and universities. In the American Solar Car Competition in 2008, they came in 2nd in a field of 14 entries that included much larger institutions, most with engineering programs. It continues to compete today.

Sources:

Wikipedia

(Principia College):
(visit link)

(American Solar Challenge):
(visit link)

(Principia College Historic District):
(visit link)

Name: Principia College Location/Address: One Maybeck Place Elsah, IL United States of America 62028 Phone Number: 618.374.2131 Web Site: [Web Link] Type of School: Undergraduate School (usually four years) School Affiliation: Private -- Christian Protestant Date Founded: 1/1/1906 Enrollment: 500 Nicknames/Mascots: Panthers School Colors: Blue and Gold School Motto: As The Sowing, The Reaping Location of GPS Coordinates: Entrance to the College from the Road

Visit Instructions:
Post one original photograph of the school that is a different view from the one on the main page, and describe your visit. Add any additional information that you may have about this school is welcome.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.