Our Crete campus is speckled with many historic statues, buildings and artwork. Did you figure out where the spring magazine special commencement clues led you?
- Near ye olde Merrill Hall stands this wooden structure, where the first Doane president used to park his horse. No, really.
Answer: David Brainerd Perry’s Hitching Post
Hungry football fans line up here.
Answer: The Away Ticket Booth and Concession Stand
Situated at the south end of Memorial Stadium, what is now the ticket booth was known for many years as Fiske Lodge. It was built in 1910 as an infirmary in case students needed to be quarantined due to outbreaks of disease and served as Crete’s first hospital, until a hospital was constructed in 1950. - You can tell the time — debatable how accurate it is to this day — in the shadow of clue #5
Answer: Sundial
This structure will ring tonight according to our official fight song. (It actually rings every hour.)
Answer: Merrill Tower
Merrill Tower was constructed in 1971 to memorialize Doane’s first campus building, Merrill Hall. The hall was destroyed by fire in 1969, but parts of the bell and the building’s cornerstone remained. Built in 1883, it's the oldest building on the Crete campus.
Answer: Boswell Observatory
The observatory is named for Charles Boswell, whose stepson taught at Doane. Boswell was a close friend of Doane's first president, David Brainerd Perry and donated $5,000 for the building and astronomy equipment, which included an eight-inch Alvan Clark telescope. The observatory is believed to be the first weather service headquarters in Nebraska and is one of three Doane buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The telescope is still operable and tours are available. "Doane is, was, will be" is carved on this wooden artwork not too far from where you're seated.
Answer: The Doane Key
One of many sculptures scattered across campus from sororities, fraternities and academic societies, this key dedicated by Tau Sigma Zeta in 1975 stands to the south of the entrance to Perkins Library. To be, or not to be, that is the clue for this building that's home to our theatre program.
Answer: Whitcomb Lee Conservatory
Whitcomb Lee Conservatory — colloquially known as the Con — was built in 1906 and is one of a very small number of pentagonal buildings. The Con is also significant because it was built in the Prairie School architectural style, popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. Dean & Dean of Chicago, the architects who designed the Con, emulated that style. They were also siblings of Edwin Dean, who was Doane’s fifth president from 1925-1936. One small step for grads, one giant paw print for this statue.
Answer: Tiger statue outside George & Sally Haddix Recreation and Athletic Center
You'll find this Greek-influenced structure among the trees just north of Frees.
Answer: Dean Memorial Pergola
The pergola was built in 1930 with funds from 1880 alumna Carrie Dean in honor of her parents. It’s situated on what was originally a natural spring, although the spring no longer flows.
