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Seattle, Washington / Landmarks

University of Washington Columns

Four iconic 24-foot cedar columns representing 'LIFE' that stand as a symbolic link between the University of Washington's 1861 downtown origins and its current campus in Sylvan Grove.

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University of Washington Columns
www.washington.edu, og_image_www.washington.edu

What are the University of Washington Columns known for?

The columns are a campus landmark used as the backdrop for convocation and commencement ceremonies. They are also the center of a tradition where students visit them twice: once at the start of their studies and again after graduation.

What is the history of the columns?

Crafted from cedar, the columns were originally erected in 1861 to support the portico of the Territorial University of Washington's first building in downtown Seattle. After the building was demolished in 1908, the columns were preserved and moved to the new campus in 1911, eventually finding their permanent home in Sylvan Grove in 1921.

What do the columns represent?

The four columns are named Loyalty, Industry, Faith, and Efficiency, which form the acronym "LIFE."

What do the columns look like?

They are four 24-foot-tall, white-painted cedar columns in the Ionic style. In their current location in Sylvan Grove, they serve as a backdrop to a slightly elevated grassy stage.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The University of Washington Columns are four white-painted cedar pillars that stand 24 feet tall. These Ionic columns originally supported the portico of the Territorial University of Washington building, which was constructed in 1861 at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and University Street in downtown Seattle. When the original building was demolished in 1908, professor and alumnus Edmund Meany worked to preserve these specific architectural elements along with the university bell. In 1911, the columns were relocated to the new campus and erected near the intersection of King and Pierce Lanes in the Quad. During this period, Herbert T. Condon, the Dean of Students, proposed a symbolic meaning for the structures. He suggested the acronym LIFE, assigning each column a specific virtue: Loyalty, Industry, Faith, and Efficiency. By the spring of 1921, the columns were moved to their permanent home in Sylvan Grove. Here, they serve as the backdrop for a slightly elevated grassy stage used during convocation and commencement ceremonies. The site has become a focal point for campus tradition, as students are encouraged to visit the columns twice: once at the beginning of their academic journey and once more after graduation.

Visitor tips

  • Allow time to walk through Sylvan Grove to appreciate the columns' setting against the greenery.
  • Visit during the spring to see the columns framed by the campus blooms.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the site is located within the sprawling university campus.

Nearby context

The columns are located in Sylvan Grove on the University of Washington campus. They are situated a few hundred yards from Denny Hall, reflecting the university's early 20th-century campus expansion.

Sources

Evidence and links