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HABS No. NY-5708-23

PHOTOGRAPHS WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA

Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service

Department of the Interior Washington, DC 20013-7127 #

HABS No. NY-5708-23 U.S.M.A. No. 601

LOCATION:

PRESENT OWNER AND OCCUPANT SIGNIFICANCE:

HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY

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U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY - RIDING HALL

(Thayer Hall)

East of Cullum Road just north of its juncture with Williams Road, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, Orange County, New York.

USGS, West Point Quadrangle, Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinates: 18.587390.4582420.

U.S. Military Academy, Department of the Army.

The Riding Hall is one of the principal buildings by Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson at West Point and is characteristic of their collegiate neo-gothic forms. Located on the site of the original riding hall, this building symbolizes one of the traditional courses of military instruction at that time. Its siting also helped to redefine the West Point Plain in its present formation. The Riding Hall exhibits one of the strongest architectural images of the Academy as viewed from the Hudson River.

PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION

A. Physical History

1. Date of erection: 1909-1911.

2. Architect: Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson, Architects, New York and Boston.

3. Original and subsequent owners: U.S. Military Academy, Department of the Army.

4. Builders, suppliers: J.N. and A. L. Pennock of Philadelphia was the general contractor. The McClintic-Marshall Construction Company, Pottsdown, Pennsylvania, supplied the structural steel. Walter Dorwin Teague Associates were the equipment engineers for Thayer Hall in 1957.

5. Original plans and construction: Original working drawings exist and are in the possession of the Facilities Engineer, Directorate of Engineering and Housing, U.S. Military Academy. These drawings are ink on linens some sheets are noted "Drawn and Traced by Arthur N. Starin" and dated March and April, 1909. The cover sheet drawing has the notations: "Drawings Approved 1_ R. Scott,

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY - RIDING HALL HABS NO. NY-5708-23 (page 2)

Colonel U.S. Army, Superintendent, Headquarters U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. June 20, 1908" and "Approved Robert Shausoliow (sp?), Acting Secretary of War, War Department, Washington, D.C. June 25, 1908."

The Riding Hall was designed as one large, rectangular, free-span space in which riding classes were held. The principal entrance was through a sallyport and bridge on the west side at the second floor level. Secondary entrances were on the west and south sides at the first floor level. Horses entered through ground level doors on the north. Into this interior space on the south, west and north sides extended a second story gallery. External to the primary walls on the west side and flanking the first floor entrance was a passage to the north and stables with a hay loft to the south. The southwest corner tower served as a penthouse with a chimney stack incorporated into the far southeast corner. The cost of the building was $682,542. The stone came from a quarry behind the Superintendent's House and from one south of the Catholic Chapel.

It is the interior that has been drastically altered. With a few exceptions, the exterior still retains its original form.

6. Alterations and additions: The Riding Hall served its original use until riding instructions were discontinued in 1946. No major alterations had taken place until that time. Delano and Aldrich won a competition in 1945 to convert the Hall into an academic building but this was not carried out. Before its eventual conversion, a gas turbine lab was installed in 1951 for the operation of a J-33 Allison jet engine. The following year the hall was used to store newly purchased automobiles. In 1955, however, plans were made to adapt the building into classrooms and to rename it Thayer Hall, in memory of Sylvanus Thayer. Gehron and Seltzer, architects and engineers from New York City, gutted the old building completely in 1956, creating four floors of modern classrooms by 1959. Nothing of the original interior remains. Most of the exterior alterations date to the 1955 conversion; minor alterations occurred after that date.

a. Entire Building: At the time of the conversion in 1955, the interior was completely altered into four floors of classrooms and the roof structure was completely rebuilt for a roof-top parking lot. All of the crenelated parapet walls were raised to accommodate the roof-top parking lot and most of the original casement windows were converted from multi-light casements into single lights.

b. West Elevation (Facade): To provide access to the roof parking lot, a granite-faced concrete bridge was constructed at the top of the extreme north bay of the west elevation. Spanning two buttresses, the bridge connects Cullura Road and the roof of the Riding Hall. The crenelated parapet wall in this bay was demolished for this alteration.

The fourth bay from the north on this elevation was altered into one of the two new sallyport entrances into the building. This new bi-level pedestrian bridge altered the crenelated parapet wall

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY - RIDING HALL HABS NO. NY-5708-23 (page 3)

between the fourth and fifth buttresses from the north. Two bi-valve doors were created as an entrance into the building from the top of the bridge; an open passage provides access at the lower level.

Altered windows on this elevation include those fitted with louvers and multi-light casements filled in with single sheets of fiberglass.

Alterations to the stables wing include a one-story section on the south which was raised to a height consistent with the rest of the wing; the loss of three hay loft windows behind the raised section; and a hay loft door which was removed and its opening filled in with granite. Other stable wing windows were filled in with granite or covered by a new sallyport abutment. The door to the low southwest corner tower of the stables wing was also removed and its opening filled in with granite.

A new south sallyport entrance was created on the west elevation roughly corresponding to the one created to the north. The bridge abutment for this entrance altered the windows of the stables wing and the sallyport itself altered the crenelated parapet wall between two buttresses.

c. South Elevation: The southwest corner of the stables wing was altered by a granite wall, attached and built to the south, that is associated with a roadway above and to the west. The parapet wall of the same corner was altered by a stairway to the new south sallyport entrance on the west elevation. The second-story window of this same corner was filled with concrete, as was the space under the stairway. Other altered windows on this elevation were fitted with louvers or filled in with limestone.

Connecting the southwest corner of the stables wing to the extended tower of the Administration Building was an 18' high granite wall with a granite coping. Centered on this wall was an arched opening with an oak bi-valve doorway which provided access to the stables and to the west and north ground-level entrances into the Riding Hall. This wall was demolished when the roadway to the west of the Riding Hall was constructed.

d. East Elevation: With the exception of the increased height of the parapet wall, no alterations are apparent on this elevation.

e. North Elevation: The equestrian entrance to the building, which consisted of three arched, bi-valve doorways on the ground level, was filled in with dressed limestone.

Above each doorway, double windows on the second floor (gallery level) were also filled In with limestone.

A window on the north elevation of the southeast tower was altered into a door and a steel stairway was constructed to connect it with the roof parking lot.

B. Historical Context: For the general historical context of the Riding Hall within the overall development of West Point, see HABS No. NY-5708, Volume 2: "West Point: An Overview of the History and Physical Development of the United States Military Academy."

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY - RIDING HALL HABS NO. NY-5708-23 (page 4)

PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION

A. General Statement:

1. Architectural character: The Riding Hall was designed as one of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson's first major neo-gothic buidings at West Point. The overall form and massing of the building is related to the functions for which it was designed, while the adapability of individual design elements provide the varietal detail that indicates different uses within the buidling. Because of its siting, the medieval character of the building is particularly effective, presenting a dramatic, massive fortress image from both its west and its east (river) side.

2. Condition of fabric: The Riding Hall has weathered well due to the durability of its construction and materials. The original fabric Is in excellent condition.

B. Description of Exterior:

1. Over-all dimensions: The Riding Hall is an irregularly-shaped building measuring approximately 630' at its widest (N-S) point and 195f at its deepest (E-W) point. The basic rectangular shape is made irregular by one and two-story wings on the west side and by corner towers on the southeast and southwest. The wings, towers and sallyport entrances are exceptions to the consistent 58' height of the parapet walls (measured from GR 110). The southeast tower rises to BS'S" (top of its parapet wall) and the chimney stack reaches 97'-7" (both from GR 110).

The placement of door and window bays is erratic owing to the gothic nature of the design. Providing a regular rhythm to the principal walls, however, are buttressed piers interrupted only by entrances and towers. Doors and windows generally correspond to two levels on all elevations: the first floor (original riding arena level) and the second floor (original gallery level).

2. Foundations: The foundations are granite rubble and rock-faced random range ashlar granite ranging in thickness from 4'-2" to 8'-10".

3. Walls:

a. Over-all: The walls of the Riding Hall are composed of grey rock-faced granite laid in a random range ashlar pattern. Buffcolored dressed limestone is used for decorative trim and for door and window jamb stones. In addition to its use for lintels, sills and jamb stones, limestone is used for all parapet coping, to cap granite buttresses at the batter line, watertable, parapet embrasures, and for a flush beltcourse encircling the building.

b. West (facade): The west elevation contains the principal entrances, the wings, and the major external architecural alterations. This elevation is vertically divided by five major

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY - RIDING HALL HABS NO. NY-5708-23 (page 5)

elements: an automotive bridge, three sallyport entrances with pedestrian bridges, and the southeast tower. Between these major elements are structural wall bays defined by buttresses. Over the central doorway are carved grotesques of men and horses symbolizing five contributions of the horse: the jockey for sports; the knight for battle; the pony express rider for communication; the Indian for transportation; and the peddlar for business enterprise.

North of the central sallyport is a one-story wing approximately 14f x 108' x 18'-7" high. The other wing, beneath the south sallyport, is two-story 26' deep x 114' wide x 35' high with an ell extension to the west 58' deep x 150* wide x 35' high.

c. South: The principal south elevation is contained between two corner towers, with a two-story wing extending to the west. Providing a point of focus on this elevation is a principal doorway within a compound arch. To the west of this door is a secondary entrance. At the second level, banded windows form a solid horizontal line between four buttresses.

The tall southeast tower dominates this elevation and is slightly balanced by the southwest tower.

d. East: From the southeast tower northward, the east elevation is an uninterrupted rhythm of projecting pavilions and buttressed bays. The tower rises in three stages on the left and four on the right, with the chimney stack section on the left rising higher.

Due to the falling grade from west to east, the Riding Hall's east elevation appears much taller than the other elevations. Much of this height is the battered foundation wall. With the exception of the single bay adjoining the southeast tower, this elevation is a rhythm of three structural bays between projecting pavilions. Centered in each bay is a single window whose lintel forms part of the limestone band that encircles the building above the third floor level. Centered in each projecting pavilion at the same level is a triple window within a pointed arch recess. The great expanse of granite wall below the line of fenestration is broken only by a small doorway three bays north of the southeast tower.

e. North: The north elevation consists of the main block of the building with the southeast tower rising in the distance on the left, and tne two-story wing and bridges extending out to the west. The northeast corner pavilion tower is similar to those on the east, with a triple window corresponding to the third floor. The next three of four bays to the west are identical, having blocked-up doorways at ground level with double windows centered above at the third floor level.

Extending west from the principal walls are the vehicular bridge, the arched bi-level bridge of the north sallyport, and the two-story wing.

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY - RIDING HALL HABS NO. NY-5708-23 (page 6)

4. Structural system, framing: The foundation walls are battered and consist of rubble and ashlar granite. The walls are load-bearing and 3T thick at grade for most of the building. From exterior to interior, the walls are composed of 2' of %andom ashlar granite, 6" of concrete, a 2" airspace, and 4" of brick. Relieving arches are set within the brick veneer.

5. Bridges, sallyports, terraces: The extreme northern bay of the west elevation is the location of a vehicular bridge that connects Cullum Road with the roof-top parking lot of the Riding Hall. This arched bridge is at the upper level of the wall and is constructed of reinforced concrete faced with granite. Its parapet wall coping and the voussoirs of the arch are limestone.

South of the vehicular bridge is a bi-level pedestrian bridge spanning a bay and leading to the north sallyport entrance at the fourth floor level. The lower level of this bridge Is an enclosed walkway connecting the tunnel from the library to the third floor of the Riding Hall. Structurally composed of reinforced concrete, the arched bridge is finished with granite and limestone in a similar fashion as the principal walls. Lighting the bridge tunnel on each side is a band of six limestone-mullioned windows.

The north sallyport building entrance is through two doors recessed within a compound limestone arch over which is a large sculptural design in limestone. Two small sculptural motifs flank the doors near the imposts of the arch. The sallyport parapet rises up past and extends back beyond the principal parapet level.

South of the north sallyport is the central sallyport entrance and pedestrian bridge. This entrance is to the second floor, reached by a flight of stairs down from Cullum Road. The bridge is arched and finished like the principal walls with random ashlar granite trimmed in limestone. It differs from the north bridge in that it employs Gustavino vaulting. The arch of this bridge forms a porte cochere over the entrance into the first floor. The central sallyport projects from the principal facade and rises up past the parapet level. The entrance arch springs from corner towers, between which, at the top, is a sculptural limestone band and a sculptural limestone panel set into the crenelated parapet.

The south sallyport entrance into the building's third floor is reached by a roof terrace approached from a pedestrian bridge over Cullum Road and from a stairway from the south. This terrace is the roof of the second story wing on the west elevation. This south sallyport projects west from the principal wall and is similar to the one on the north, with a large sculptural limestone design above (see photograph).

The principal entrance on the south elevation is reached via a terrace that connects the Riding Hall with the Power Plant to the south.

6. Chimneys: The extreme southeast corner of the Riding Hall contains a chimney which actually forms part of the southeast tower and rises above it. This chimney serves the Power Plant and was originally part of that building.

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY - RIDING HALL HABS NO. NY-5708-23 (page 7)

7. Openings:

Doors: All exterior doors are oak and are usually set into doorways having limestone jambs in a long-and-short work pattern. There are three basic types of doorways: single valve doors; bi-valve doors; and double bi-valve doors. The most prevalent types are bi-valve doors with flat limestone lintels and bi-valve doors with segmental limestone arches. Double doorways are typically divided by a limestone mullion. Original oak doors are composed of stiles and rails between which are beaded vertical boards. Original transoms are composed of leaded caraes separated by wooden mullions. Original hardware consists of iron strap hinges and iron ring door pulls.

By varying the general compositional details slightly, the architects designed at least one unique doorway for each elevation and usually a distinctive design for each different part of the buidling.

West: The facade has a variety of doors on all four levels. Doorways on the first floor were designed, and are associated with, the various original functioning parts of the Riding Hall: a bi-valve doorway in the one-story wing; two bi-valve doorways at the base of the original sallyport (central sallyport); a bi-valve doorway at the south end of the two-story ell extension (filled with limestone now); and a bi-valve doorway (originally an equestrian entrance) south of the two-story wing.

Access to the second floor (originally gallery level) is now through two bi-valve doorways in the central sallyport (original principal entrance).

Access to the third floor is through the north sallyport, which is reached via the enclosed pedestrian tunnel bridge; and through the two bi-valve doors of the south sallyport. Both of these entrances are additions.

The one entrance to the fourth floor is a double bi-valve door at the north sallyport which is reached through the upper level of the pedestrian bridge.

South: The three entrances on the south are on the first floor level and are all original. From west to east these are: a single-valve door in the two-story wing; a bi-valve door adjacent to the southwest tower; and double bi-valve doors west of the southeast tower. The recessed entrance to the latter also contains single-valve doors facing each other east and west. The doors on this elevation correspond to the original functions of the building: the stables, the attendant's quarters, and the arena, respectively.

East: The east elevation has one single-valve door at the first floor level. This occurs three bays north of the southeast tower.

North: All doorways on the north elevation proper have been discontinued and filled in with stone. This was the original equestrian entrance.

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