Fred Lynch retired in 2018 after capturing images for the Southeast Missourian since 1975, in that time moving from black-and-white to color, from film to digital and to video. The blog title is a nod to an earlier era of news photography and the 4x5 Speed Graphic: It's more important to be there for the shot than to worry about technical details.

Home of the Birds

Posted Monday, October 24, 2011, at 6:00 AM

Feb. 25, 1961 Southeast Missourian

State College's new Magill Hall of Science stands on a hillside overlooking the wooded ravine known to generations of students on the hilltop campus as the Home of the Birds. Science students reach the building from the main campus via a walkway and a bridge-like structure standing high above the ravine. The bridge carries utilities -- heat, power and water -- to the new structure and is a continuation of the system of tunnels between buildings on the campus. Contemplated for future campus development is the wooded area to the right in the picture, extending through to Sprigg street. (G.D. Fronabarger photo)

Dec. 20, 1960 Southeast Missourian

State College Classes Move to Modern Science Building

State College science and mathematics classes have completed the step-by-step move from the 58-year-old science building at the rear of Academic Hall to their modern, $1,265,373 structure to the north of the Home of the Birds.

The new building, reached by a drive from North Henderson avenue branching off from that to the home of President Mark F. Scully, solves space and laboratory problems that existed in the outgrown structure used for so many years.

It has been officially named Magill Hall of Science in recognition of Dr. A.C. Magill, now a member of the County Court, who was head of the department for many years prior to his retirement in 1952 after 43 years in the position.

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For some reason, my family always called the Springdale Bird Sanctuary the Home of the Birds (incorrectly, as pointed out by Sharon Sanders and James Baughn).

The entrance was marked by two wooden birdhouses atop a stone gateway off Big Bend Road, just west of Cape Rock.

http://www.capecentralhigh.com/cape-photos/this-is-not-the-home-of-the-birds/

One of the birdhouses is long gone; the other was still there this summer, but it's not long for the world.

-- Posted by ksteinhoff on Mon, Oct 24, 2011, at 9:59 AM
No story on this magic location would be complete without the mention of Miss Gross. The transient college students walked over or through, but generations of Cape kids who she taught at the Campus kindergarten called this their playground complete with pianted wooden cut-outs of Sambo and the tigers.

-- Posted by semowasp on Tue, Oct 25, 2011, at 10:45 AM

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