Centennial
In May 1968, construction began on a new main building for the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). Set to replace “Old Main” – the academic facility for PCO since 1932, the new building was designed to house lecture halls, laboratories, research facilities, library, student lounge and administrative offices. Plans were prepared by the architectural firm, Haag & d’Entremont, and PCO director of development, Dr. Andrew F. Fischer, OD ’37. The same firm was responsible for designing Powell Hall, the college’s first student apartment building, which was under construction and expected to be completed in the same year.
Ten years later, The Eye Institute (TEI) was built next door, becoming the first comprehensive, interdisciplinary clinical facility of its kind. TEI has remained at this location for the last four decades and was recently renovated in 2017.
PCO campus remained at this location until it was sold to the Community College of Philadelphia in 1998, and relocated to an 11.5 acre main campus in Elkins Park – where it still remains today.
