Because the facilities of the engineering departments were scattered across the campus in diverse locations and some shops were “...not only inadequate, but...poorly adapted to the purpose [of some programs]”, prior to 1920 the Trustees considered the construction of a building to house the engineering programs.

In order to meet the situation, much thought was given to the possibility of an engineering building which should eventually house the entire Engineering and Physics Departments. Plans were accordingly prepared by Carrere and Hastings, architects, with a view of placing the building in the grove directly back of East College...This location was not ideal and the project was temporarily held up while negotiations were carried on for the purchase of the Miller farm...The farm was purchased, and the acquisition of this property changed the entire situation.

After the purchase of the Miller farm, Carrere and Hastings was hired to “submit comprehensive plans for the future development of the University.” In accordance with these plans, the Engineering Building was placed on the Miller farm

Contractors from New York City and Philadelphia submitted bids for the construction of the building, but since the lowest bid “...was nearly double the sum available for the purpose, it was decided to alter the plans and type of construction, without changing the exterior appearance of the building, to make them suit more nearly the amount of money available.” Professor Frank E. Burpee, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, was in charge of construction. Campus workmen began work in early May, 1921, and “...everything was finished and classes were being held in the building by the first of March, 1922.” During the summer vacation period of 1922, the equipment was installed in the laboratories.

The ground floor of the First Wing contained three laboratory rooms. A machine shop, a wood working shop, a tool room and a washroom were on the first floor. Offices, recitation rooms, a drawing room and an auditorium were on the second floor. The third floor contained a reading room and the radio broadcasting room, which was occupied by the radio station after its establishment in 1931.

In 1926, Professor Walter Kremer Rhodes of the Electrical Engineering Department supervised the installation of a master clock in the Engineering Office, which controlled a comprehensive bell system for all University classes. Prior to this, there had been separate bell systems for the Women's College and the buildings on the Hill, but under this system "...it was difficult for everyone to keep step with the clock on the tower of West College."

This photograph was taken from the front of the first wing of the Engineering Building shortly after its construction. This wing was remodeled after the central part of the building and other wing were constructed. The slope of the roof was much less in the original building, and two skylights were located on the roof toward the front of the building ( slightly visible in the photo). In 1945, the slope of the roof was much steeper and two skylights were located on the back roof, which is to the left side of this photo.

"not only inadequate..." MBU, p. 103

"In order to meet..." ib.

""submit comprehensive plans..." ib.

"...was nearly double..." ib.

"...everything was finished..." ib.

"...it was difficulty for..." ib., p. 105

The major source for the information on this page is Memorials of Bucknell University, 1919-1931 (MBU '19-'31)