Arts and Entertainment

Old Coaly now on display at HUB-Robeson Center

University Park, Pa. -- Old Coaly, the mule who helped to build the original Old Main and gained fame as an early Penn State mascot, has found a new home in the HUB-Robeson Center, at the University Park campus.

The display case housing Coaly's preserved skeleton was moved to the HUB from the Ag Arena to coincide with the start of the University's sesquicentennial year and the HUB's 50th anniversary. The case is located on the first floor, near the entrance to the HUB gallery.

"The HUB-Robeson Center is fortunate to be able to provide a new home for Old Coaly," said Stanley Latta, director of unions and student activites. "Honoring and preserving Penn state traditions is an important aspect of student life and the HUB-Robeson Center is the perfect place to continue the legend of Old Coaly."

Born in Kentucky in 1855, Coaly came to Pennsylvania in 1857 with his owner, Piersol Lytle, whose son Andy was among 200 workmen engaged in constructing Old Main. Along with three other mules and two horses, Coaly hauled limestone blocks to the construction site from a quarry located on what is today a part of the Old Main lawn, near the intersection of College Avenue and Pugh Street. (A plaque now marks the quarry's location.)

The five-story building was completed in 1863. Penn State then purchased Coaly for $190, a high price for that era, reflecting his reliability and great capacity for work.

Coaly spent the next 30 years handling a variety of tasks on the campus and surrounding farms. He was a favorite of the students, and served as their informal mascot long before the advent of the Nittany Lion. So great was their affection for "Old" Coaly that after his death on Jan. 1, 1893, his skeleton was preserved. It has had numerous resting places, including a wildlife museum in the original Old Main, the basement of Watts Hall, the attic of the old Penn State veterinary hospital, the Agricultural Administration Building, the Ag Arena, and now in the HUB-Robeson Center.

To see pictures of Old Coaly, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/about/markers/others/coaly.html

Last Updated March 20, 2009

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