Centennial
Salus University’s founding college, the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO), later renamed Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1964, has taken many shapes over the last century.
At its very beginning, PSCO’s original campus was located in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia. Within five years, PSCO had already outgrown its space and needed to create a separate clinical facility on Brandywine Street in Philadelphia Even with the two facilities, PSCO desperately needed more space.
At that time, Dr. Albert Fitch, PSCO’s founder, and first president believed that the number of students graduating each year in optometry was inadequate to serve the growing profession. However, the size of the College facilities restricted the number of students who could be enrolled. By 1931, Dr. Fitch and PSCO Trustees were actively looking for a new campus.
After a year of searching, Dr. Fitch located a large building, built in 1907 that served as an orphanage on a seven-acre plot of land in the Oak Lane section of the city. The building had been vacant, full of debris and had been significantly vandalized. However, the slate roof and the stone construction were solid. Because the economic times were difficult and the sellers considered the building to be unusable, the College was able to purchase the property for $50,000. Altogether, the purchase, repair, and alterations to the former orphanage cost a total of $125,000.
Affectionately called “Old Main,” the renovation of the grounds through landscaping brought out the natural beauty of the location and PSCO officially moved in in the fall term of 1932. All of the pre-clinical teachings could then take place in the new classrooms and 15 laboratories. The new campus also provided adequate space for a library and offices, as well as dormitory space, a dining room, and large kitchen facilities.
Students lived in the new facility only up until 1935 when the curriculum was extended to four years and the College needed more space for the academic programs. The dormitories, kitchen, and swimming pool areas were reclaimed for additional classrooms and laboratories.
For over 30 years, “Old Main” served as the face of PSCO. Through decades of evolution both as a College and within the optometry profession, “Old Main’s” beautiful landscape and elegant architecture stood as a strong representation of the trailblazing, hardworking faculty, staff and students that roamed the halls.
By the mid-‘60s, PCO had again outgrown its facilities. After purchasing the adjacent lots and evolving from a seven-acre property to now 32-acres, PCO broke ground on a new $2.2 million main building.
Immediately after the completion of the new building, the College intended to renovate “Old Main.” However, in 1972 after a series of fires, the building had to unfortunately be demolished.
