Campus Architecture

Grotesques (“Gargoyle”) Gallery

A water spout, especially one projecting from a gutter and intended to throw the water away from the walls and foundations.

Russell Sturgis on what defines a gargoyle, Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture and Building

With few exceptions, the gargoyles at WashU do not carry water; they are purely decorative. Thus, they are not gargoyles. Rather, they are Bosses or Grotesques. We do not know who designed the grotesques at WashU, nor the names of the stonecutter(s) who created the images we now see on our campus buildings.

Images courtesy of Joe Angeles, Photo Services Department, WashU Marketing & Communications

Grotesques in Graham Chapel

For more information on the history and decoration of Graham Chapel, see our online exhibition, Grotesques, Glass, Graham: Marriage of Masonry.

Other Gargoyle Links

An example of a grotesque as part of the architecture in the interior of Graham Chapel's ceiling.

Selections from the Fred R. Hammond Collection

In the mid-1980s, the University Archives received one of its most unique artifacts—a sketchbook containing designs for many of the bosses who adorn our older campus buildings.

This book and several historical photographs were the gift of Fred R. Hammond, an architect who worked for the firm of Jamieson & Spearl of St. Louis. Jamieson & Spearl was the successor firm of Cope & Stewardson, the firm that designed the Hilltop Campus, and Jamieson & Spearl was responsible for much of the campus’ building program as late as the 1950s.

Featured Digitized Resources

Explore WashU’s historic architecture via our digitized resources.

Contact

Department
Special Collections, Special Collections, Preservation, and Digital Strategies
Name
Sonya Rooney
Job Title
University Archivist
Phone Number
(314) 935-9730