Built in the late 1800's, Old Main stands proud as the University's original classrooms. Now used for administration purposes, Old Main is still considered the heart and center of our campus. Its location is strategically placed right in the middle of the University and is the first building visitors encounter upon entrance from the main gates. Throughout the daytime, the outside is a space for fellowship among students and teachers where they can relax and enjoy the charming landscape in between classes. On the lawn, we see students lounging on the green grass and a pair participating in a game of Frisbee. There are also students shown riding their bikes and jogging around the premises. The majestic fountain gracefully casts out water while students sit aside it to laze. Through this photo, we can assume Old Main shares active and recreational purposes.
Daytime Old Main paints a perception that is a joyous and lively place, but what actually happens behind those white wooden doors after hours? After dark, our school's centerpiece takes on a whole new aura of mystery and fright. I chose to analyze this space because I think Old Main has a split personality: during the day, it is a place of life and activity but at night, our oldest building is a spooky deserted edifice.
Here we see this photo of Old Main taken at around eleven o'clock at night. There is a tree blocking part of our view of the building, but I think the photographer (Kevin) did this purposely to give off a creepier effect for the audience. The multiple floors, wrap-around balcony, and overall style of the structure exposes the age it was constructed and the lights from above the old-fashioned windows give off an eerie yellow glow. While students and teachers are tucked safe away in their beds, not a soul walks the lawn or beneath the main or upper deck. At this point, Old Main appears ultimately deserted, showing no sign of inhabitants. Upon first impression, many would assume that this is a photo taken of an old abandoned or haunted house filled with ghosts and leaking paranormal activity. The photo we see here and the first photo posted are taken from the same side of the structure. From this point, I can imply that Old Main takes on a bit of a "werewolf effect". During light hours, it is a charming space where students casually stroll in to see their counselors, but at night, it is a spooky building waiting to envelop the trespassers who venture in after hours.
This photo was taken a little past five o'clock around sunset. I did this intentionally to capture Old Main mid-transformation from sunlight to sundown. Here we see the aging upper deck still somewhat sunny with a few shadows cast on the brick walls. The pale green bench offers a welcoming invitation to sit and appreciate the scenery. Cactus and other various desert plants grow tall and stand against the white railing. Peering into windows, we can see administrators and counselors in their offices working diligently trying to wrap up their day. This photo of the second floor appears harmless, but at night, one might think different.
I was curious to see whether or not the UA had its hauntings and after some research, I discovered that Old Main does in fact have its own ghost. His name is Carlos Maldenado and came to Tucson in the summer of 1868. He was a famous Sonoran businessman who was partly responsible for the construction of Old Main. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the finished product of his work for he was found murdered on the second floor. There have been countless sightings of Señor Maldenado dating back to the 1940's. Reports describe a man hovering overhead or lounging in doorways then completely vanishing. This is one of the many ghost stories of Old Main proving our first classrooms may be subjected to metaphysical hauntings.
This is a photo taken during an early cool morning around eight o’clock, as you can see, Old Main has changed back into its welcoming state. The grass is still freshly wet from morning's dew as the fountain cheerfully shoots water. Cars and shuttles hustle around the loop-around dropping off students and teachers to start their day; not much has changed considering this routine is decades old. Since the doors were first opened in 1885, peers arrive at Old Main to begin their work as scholars and engage in their studies. Despite the scares and eeriness it emits at night, come sunrise, it returns to be the beating heart of our campus. It is the UA’s first establishment and we are more than proud to see our heritage still standing today. As a Wildcat, we see it as a nostalgic symbol of tradition that we like to show off. Old Main represents the roots of the University of Arizona along with the progress we have made as a school together.
