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Old Main, Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall

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Coordinates: 40°2′42″N 76°19′14″W / 40.04500°N 76.32056°W / 40.04500; -76.32056
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Old Main, Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall
"Old Main," 1910
Old Main, Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall is located in Pennsylvania
Old Main, Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall
Old Main, Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall is located in the United States
Old Main, Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall
LocationFranklin and Marshall College campus, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°2′42″N 76°19′14″W / 40.04500°N 76.32056°W / 40.04500; -76.32056
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built1854-1856, 1857
ArchitectDixon, Balburnie, & Dixon
Architectural styleGothic Revival
NRHP reference No.75001645[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 30, 1975

"Old Main," Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall, also known as the Original Buildings of Franklin & Marshall College, are three historic academic buildings that are located on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.[1]

History and architectural features

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"Old Main" was built between 1854 and 1856, and is a three-story, T-shaped building with three-story lateral wings. It features a four-story, square entrance tower with five-story octagonal turrets. The chapel was enlarged in 1874. Goethean Hall and Diagnothian Hall flank "Old Main" and were completed in 1857. They are 2+1⁄2 stories tall, with steeply pitched gable roofs and stepped gables.

The buildings all reflect the Gothic Revival architectural style.[2]

Reputation for being haunted

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During the American Civil War, the buildings served as a military hospital. After the nearby Battle of Gettysburg, many wounded soldiers were treated on campus. The soldiers who died are rumored to haunt the buildings at night, moaning in agony.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Sarah M. Jarvis and William K. Watson (April 1975). National Register of Historic Places Registration: Pennsylvania SP Old Main, Goethean Hall, and Diagnothian Hall. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved December 24, 2025. (Downloading may be slow.)
  3. ^ https://www.the-college-reporter.com/fm-hauntings-a-collection/2023/10/
  4. ^ https://library.fandm.edu/archives/fastfacts/ghoststories
  • 'Go F&M Beat Hopkins!' Unfurled over the entrance of Old Main
    'Go F&M Beat Hopkins!' Unfurled over the entrance of Old Main
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