Penn State University's University Park campus is currently home to nearly three hundred different buildings. While most of these buildings demonstrate notable design features, no building is more of a distinctive landmark than Old Main. The current structure is actually the second Old Main to occupy this location. Built in 1929, Old Main originally housed classrooms, laboratories, student housing, and administrative offices. It was also used for a short time as a student union until the HUB was built. Today the building houses Penn State's administrative offices and the office of the President. Construction of the building began on June 24, 1857, and lasted until 1863. Designed by Trustee Hugh McAllister, a Bellefonte attorney, the building was the largest public structure between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh at the time of its completion. Although the building was impressive on the outside, inside it was commonly called a "dungeon" due to the lack of lighting. Students often said they studied by candlelight. It was not until 1887 that the building was illuminated with incandescent electric lights. Old Main was the first major building on campus and was often called the Main Building. Later, as other buildings began to go up around the campus, students began affectionately calling it "Old Main." That name seemed to stick and became official when the current structure was built in 1929 and is officially titled Old Main. College Avenue in downtown State College divides the Penn State campus (University Park) from the city. Walking along these sidewalks demonstrates the difference between these two, with shops and restaurants on one side and the classroom buildings, dormitories... middle of paper... men's offices mirroring the location of the women's. Also at the end of the corridor is an exit on the western facade facing the Willard Building. It is obvious that the principal's offices, both male and female, mirror each other to show equality between students and the principals who govern them. The second building bears a striking resemblance to the first floor. Here you also have access to the main lobby. A door at the top of the second-floor lobby stairs leads north into the boardrooms. Here there are offices, a meeting room and a lounge. Centrally located within the building, this demonstrates that although administrators are absent from the day-to-day operations of the university, they still have central governance. This is important for the president who has to pass these offices every day. He or she knows it