Now symbols of the University of Missouri, these six ionic columns once supported the portico of Academic Hall, the campus's first building. They mark where the building originally stood for nearly 50 years; constructed from 1840-1843 and consumed by fire in 1892. After inspection, these columns were deemed safe and thanks to throngs of supporters were allowed to remain standing. They now make up a central part of MU's beloved campus. Just to the right of the columns is the more than a century old Lafferre Hall.