In July 1873, the cornerstone to the first building on campus was set. With the cornerstone in place, construction continued and was finished shortly after on September 14. The building, named after the generous donor Price, burned down fifteen years later in the month of December. To this day the origin of the fire remains an mystery.

Photograph property of LHUP Archive.
Undated picture of the original Price Hall.

Disaster is no stranger to Lock Haven University. Seventy years after the fire that destroyed Price Hall, the campus was infiltrated by a devastating rain storm. Approximately three and six-tenth inches of rain fell in a little over an hour. To the dismay of the community, over $104,000.00 of damage was caused by the tempest.

Photograph property of LHUP Archive.
Praeco, 1976, p. 89.