A sprawling fire in the foothills north of Los Angeles is threatening the historic Mount Wilson Observatory, established more than a century ago by the astronomer George Ellery Hale and home to a variety of scientific facilities operated by a number of institutions, including University of California's branches at Berkeley and Los Angeles, the University of Southern California, and Georgia State University.

The 5,715-foot high mountain is at the eastern edge of what firefighters are calling the Station Fire, which has consumed 42,500 acres and 18 homes. Two firefighters were killed on Sunday fighting the blaze.

The Mount Wilson property is also home to a number of towers that broadcast radio and television signals to the Los Angeles area. Fire officials said five engines would be stationed on the mountain on Monday to protect the tower and the observatory, whose telescopes include the ...

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(U. of Wisconsin photo)

The University of Wisconsin at Madison is trying to sell a 1941 house with an unusual history for just $1, but so far there are no takers. And the deadline is Monday.

There is a catch, of course—the buyer would have to move the two-story, 3,372-square-foot house from its campus location, where it's in the way of an expansion of the School of Human Ecology. Also, the buyer would have to take the house as is, including some asbestos and possibly some lead-based paint.

The house, with a low roofline and bay windows on the first floor, is a perfect suburban period piece—all the more so because it was used for years as a home-economics practice home, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. "It has some really unique architectural features and interior features that you do not see any longer," said Doris Green, a spokeswoman for the School of Human...

Campus architecture and facilities news from around the Web:

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Ivy Tech Community College will tear down all but the facade of a historic, 96-year-old hospital building to build a $39.5-million classroom building, according to The Indianapolis Star.

Preservationists had fought a plan to demolish the building, according to the article. The building had not served as a hospital since 1973, although it had been used for a time as low-income housing. The college bought the property in 2006 for $1 on the condition that it would preserve the building's historic features. For a time, the college engaged private developers who planned to turn the building into housing for students at Ivy Tech or Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. But the $25-million to $50-million needed to complete that project became unrealistic in a flagging economy.

Now the facade will ornament a 150,000-square-foot building housing classrooms and laboratories -- that is,...

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Students and faculty members returning to many campuses this month are finding roads and walkways closed because of infrastructure projects too big to be completed over the summer. At the University of Utah, where a number of utility-upgrade and construction efforts are currently disrupting traffic, an online map now warns people where and when they're likely to find congestion, according to The Deseret News.

"The information on the site will be updated weekly or even daily, if needed," said Darrin Blaisdell, geographical-information systems manager for the university's facilities-management department. "We hope anyone who travels to campus will bookmark this site and use it before beginning their trip."

The Web site, which lets users choose between a map and a satellite-photo view, opens pop-up windows explaining various projects as you move a computer cursor over...

Campus architecture and facilities news from around the Web:

• Deal Between Southern Methodist U. and Ex-Condo Owners Falls Apart, Threatening Bush Library

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• Demolition Begins on U. of Washington at Tacoma's Joy Building

The Grand Forks Herald says the University of North Dakota and Grand Forks, N.D., could learn a thing or two from North Dakota State University and the city of Fargo, where NDSU has set up a downtown campus. In coming years, 4,000 students will live and learn in downtown Fargo, which will revitalize the city, writes Tom Dennis, the newspaper's editorial-page editor, in an op-ed essay.

"UND also is weighing the prospect of opening a downtown campus; and if NDSU’s experience is any indication, the benefits far outweigh the costs," he writes. "Thanks to strong leadership, good planning and steady civic support, NDSU built and/or renovated buildings, relocated entire programs downtown and successfully addressed key issues such as parking.

"If Grand Forks brings the same elements to bear," Mr. Dennis continues, "a downtown campus likewise could be opened here to the benefit of both the...

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• At East Carolina U., Renovated Sigma Phi Epsilon House Opens

• U. of Southern Mississippi Welcomes Anonymous Gift to Build New Gateway