Southwestern College, 77 Steps & the Mound

At the entrance to Southwestern College stand the 77 Steps: the “heart of the hill”, leading up to the Christy Administration Building atop one of the highest points in Winfield, and the focal point of the campus. At the bottom of the steps is “The Mound”, which was once a simple pile of decorated rocks central to the Southwestern Moundbuilder tradition. This design-build project reconstructed the original 77 Steps, which were in disrepair. Care was taken to recreate the original feel and ambiance of the original steps, built in 1910. Design challenges included providing the required landings at the correct heights, and designing appropriate lighting (the original stairs were not lighted), providing minimal concrete joints to mimic the original aesthetic, and above all, provide exactly 77 steps! Construction at The Mound formalized the surrounding area with a structure highlighting the decorated rocks, appropriate for Moundbuilder ceremonies and with room to grow.