The Sample Gates

 HISTORY 

The Sample Gates have a really unique history. Plans for a gateway to the Old Crescent on campus started in 1883. The IU students of 1899 all the way to 1902 had an “Arch Fund” to save up for the gateway. Instead of using it for a gateway, they ended up using it for the chimes in the Student Building. In the 1930s, they decided to bring back the plan for the gateway again, but it ended up failing. In the early 1960s, a donor gave funding for the gateway and plans were made yet again. However, soon after this, IU students said it would be wasteful spending and didn’t want it to happen. 

Finally, in 1987 Edson Sample decided to fund the Sample Gates. Edson  Sample came to Indiana University in 1958 and started working in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aids in 1961. He worked at Indiana University for 30 years. He chose to retire and wanted to give back to the university by funding the gateway. He asked that it be named in honor of his parents, Louise and Kimsey Sample. Believe it or not, they had been designed all the way back in 1960 by architectural firm Eggers and Higgins, taking a whole 27 years to be built. This duo also designed the  Fine Arts building and Assembly Hall at IU.