Quad, Mackay Statue, Mechanical Building,Physics Building, and Morrill Hall, ca. 1911

This view of the Quad is taken from the Mackay School of Mines building looking toward the eastern half of the Quad. The Mackay Statue is looking south in the right of the photograph and (from left to right) the Mechanical Building, the Physics Building, and Morrill Hall all line the Quad. The Mackay Statue was placed in front of the Mackay School of Mines during its opening in 1908. Clarence Mackay, a great benefactor during the beginning years of the university, had the statue made in honor of his father, John Mackay. The statue was created by up-and-coming sculpture at the time Gutzon Borglum, best known for Mt. Rushmore. The statue was situated so that Mackay’s face is looking toward Virginia City where he made his fortune in the Comstock Mine.