The original land for the Normal School was donated by John P. Cranford and his wife. The first building on campus, the Normal School Building, was built in stages, first the east wing, then the center, and then the west wing. The cornerstone was laid on June 13, 1890. This original campus building was designed by prominent Colorado architect, Robert S. Roeschlaub; he also designed the 1907 Library on campus, the Central City Opera House, University Hall at Denver University, and many other important buildings throughout the state. From 1906-1931 the building was known as the Administration Building and from 1931-1972, it was Cranford Hall and served as the central academic and administrative building on campus for many years. A small fire in the attic of Cranford Hall on April 27, 1925 caused "destruction of May Fete decorations" and some damage to "the ceiling of the third floor biology laboratory." Source: "Insurance Covers Damage by Small Fire in Ad Building," Mirror, Apr. 30, 1925, p. 1; A major fire took place in Cranford Hall in 1949. Cranford Hall was condemned as unsafe and demolished in 1972.