Columbia College, City of New York

The old Columbia College (now Columbia University) in the City of New York, former King’s College. Lithographer Sarony & Major. Copyright 1852. Text on print: Columbia College dedicated to the Class of '52 by Harvey B. Dodworth [publisher]. New York. Above, within border: Old College Sycamore Schottisch. Source: New York Public Library.

King’s College, founded in 1754, moved to this building in 1760 at Church Street, at the foot of Robinson Street (later Park Place), near the present City Hall Park. On May 1, 1784, after the Independence War, the legislature passed an act that changed the King's College name to Columbia College. In the same year, a grammar school was created at the College and the building was renovated.

In 1792, the trustees of Columbia College established the medical school of the College on a more respectable basis by appointing Dr. Samuel Bard as dean of the faculty, and associating with him seven medical professors.

The Columbia College building was made of stone, three-story high with four stair cases, 12 apartments in each, a chapel, hall, library, museum, anatomical theatre, and a school of experimental philosophy.

In 1857, the College moved to 49th / 50th streets, between 4th Avenue and present Madison Avenue.