The building had been remodeled and expanded in 1876 in order to accommodate a year-round preparatory department and an additional faculty member. Much of the lumber for the addition was donated by a member of the board of trustees, R. W. Brock of Corvallis.
Hyslop Farm, used for research by Oregon State University, was located northeast of campus on edge of Corvallis. The Willamette River can be seen at top of image.