The Early Years of Old Main, 1885–1915

The Early Years of Old Main, 1885–1915 details the archaeological discoveries revealed during the 2012–14 renovation of Old Main, which, due to its age and historic records, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thanks to detailed excavation work by a team of archaeologists, this work documents eight historic features of the building, ranging from equipment pads to drainage systems. Drawing on archaeological monitoring, artifact analysis, archival records, architectural drawings, and historic photographs, the narrative reconstructs how Old Main functioned during the university's first decades and how its physical spaces supported early scientific instruction in mining, metallurgy, and agriculture.

More than a technical report, this volume offers a tangible glimpse into the material foundations of higher education in territorial and early statehood Arizona. Madsen's careful documentation preserves knowledge of features that could not be saved during renovation and places them in the broader context of Old Main's architectural evolution and its central role on campus. The result is an important resource for historians, archaeologists, preservationists, and anyone who values the University of Arizona's heritage—demonstrating that even the most familiar buildings can still hold untold stories beneath their floors and landscapes.