Old Main (Wartburg College)

Old Main is a historic building on the Wartburg College campus in Waverly, Iowa, notable for being the first structure linked to German Lutheran higher education in the state. Constructed in 1880, this three-story brick building showcases vernacular Italianate architecture with distinctive features like a hipped roof, gabled dormers, and decorative cornices. Originally serving multiple functions, it housed classrooms, dormitories, and dining facilities, reflecting the early educational practices of the institution. Recognized for its historical significance, Old Main was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.