The History and Future Hope For EOU's Grand Staircase

The History and Future Hope For EOU?s Grand Stair case

By Emmalyn Guzman

From the Grande Ronde River tothe Hot Lake Hotel, La Grande isthe home of many natural andman-made beauties. One thathas often been overlooked is ourintricate, ItalianRenaissance-inspired GrandStaircase located right behindInlow Hall. It was designed by

architect John Bennes and completed in 1929 during the foundation of EOU, still under the name of Eastern Oregon Normal School, serving only as a teacher?s training school. Over the years, courses were added, the student diversity expanded, the school?s name was changed (four times), the school became a four-year public university, and the staircase went unnoticed by the student body.

Throughout the years, the merciless winters of La Grande took their toll on all of our industrious educational buildings,

especially the staircase. The wear and tear became more evident. Because of its gradual deterioration, the staircase was closed off from the public in 2004 and sadly enough, some students who have been here for years don?t even know the location of the structure, let alone the long history behind it.

In recent years, attempts to save the staircase and preserve it has come up, including putting it on the Restore Oregon?s Most Endangered Places List in 2015. This year, the proposal of a complete restoration has been mentioned in a board meeting in April. Governor

Kate Brown recommended a budget to the 2019 Legislator which included a generous $3 million to restore the Grand Staircase. Her generosity was mentioned in a post on the Facebook page sponsoring the staircase. The post is optimistic, showing that even though the plan still has a long way to go, recognition for the staircase?s restoration is finally being noticed.

During the board meeting in April, restoration of the staircase plan of action was mentioned, and the overall proposal was reviewed. According to an article covering the meeting, along with the budget of $12.5 million to renovate Inlow Hall adding ?classroom[s] and office space, seismic modifications and landscaping the building?s approach to meet the architect?s original outline?, a quarter of that same $12.5 million will be put into the

staircase renovation project. A trustee by the name of Cheryl Martin stated: ?The Grand Staircase is so unique and so beautiful [?] We need to make sure it?s more visible and accessi ble for people.?

After the meeting, the board of trustees approved the proposal of restoring the residence halls to add enough rooms to house up to 100 more on-campus students (EOU page). As for the staircase, updates and improvements have already been started. There is even a new interpretive sign covering the history of the monument that is in its final stages and is newly installed as of this May. After their final decision, the Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the school, showing their support and upcoming plans.

As the wait for construction preparation goes on, support from social media is on the rise. The Friends of the Grande Staircase

Facebook page, along with an Instagram page, have been created to raise awareness for surrounding community members and current college students about the updates on the staircase. They are also offering donations for the restorati on project.

There is some debate on whether or not the project is salvageable, but there is also hope that lies with the staircase and the students, alumni and community members who want to restore the Staircase to its former glory. As to quote a post from the Facebook page: ?We appreciate every step that has been taken along the way to save this architectural treasure. Slow and steady wins the race.?

For more information on how to donate to the restoration of the Grand Staircase, email savethegrandstai rcase

@gmai l.com.

1967 EOU Grand Staircase. Photos from Restore Oregon & Savethegrandestaircase.org

2019 EOU Grand Staircase. Photos by Olivia Steffey