June, 1904 .] Opening of the Lake Laboratory Building. 
179 
Address of Capt. Alexis Cope, Secretary Board of Trustees, Ohio State 
University. 
The movement toward the establishment of a lake laborator}’ 
for the Ohio State University at Sandusky began in the fall of 
1894. The late lamented Dr. D. S. Kellicott, then Professor of 
Zoology and Entomology, in an interview with the secretary 
expressed some discouragement over the prospects of the scientific 
departments of the university. It was just after registration day 
and a number of students in the scientific courses who came later 
had not yet returned. The secretary suggested some special 
advertising of the science courses. In this conversation Professor 
Kellicott mentioned the fact that the University of Michigan had 
a lake laboratory somewhere on the lakes, I think at Charlevoix, 
supported by the F'ish Commission. The secretary at once .said, 
why not have such a laboratory for the State University at San- 
dusky, in co-operation with our own State Fish Commission? 
The}" have a building there and, for the present at least, might 
allow us to use a portion of it for a laboratory. He at once 
responded eagerly to the suggestion, and said Sandusky was the 
best point on the lakes for a station. We at once opened the 
matter with Hon. H. B. Vincent, then president of the Board of 
Commissioners of Fish and Game, who took the matter up and 
considered it favorabl}-, and as a result of such conferences, Dr. 
Kellicott drew up the following communication to the Board of 
Trustees, which was presented to them at a meeting held Januar}- 
15, 1895. It is given in full becau.se it has never been printed, 
and because it states .so fully the objects and purpo.ses of the 
laboratory as conceived by Dr. Kellicott, who may well be called 
its founder. It is as follows ; 
To the P/esidenf and Ti nstecs of the Ohio State University : 
Sirs — At different times I have had conversation with President Scott, 
Secretary Cope and others concerning a lake laboratory under the patronage 
of the university. I now ask the privilege of stating to you in writing iny 
views of this matter, and, in this connection, of another closely connected 
with the former, and ask you to consider both propositions. 
The questions are; i. The establishment in the near future of a lake 
laboratory at or near Sandusky ; and 2, the creation of a State collection of 
the fishes of Ohio. 
THE LABORATORY. 
The purpose of the plant that I would advocate is to afford an opportunity 
and a stimulus to instructors and students of biolog}’ in the university to 
spend their vacations investigating living problems in biology, especially 
such as are connected with important industries like the fisheries. 
The obvious advantages to the university are: i. Prestige. 2, Practical 
training of our students. 3, The sure increase of our collections ; and 4, it 
should extend the usefulness and influence of the university. 
THE LOCATION. 
I think it would be difficult, if not impossible to find, anywhere about the 
Great Lakes, a more suitable place for such a station than at some point near 
Sandusky. 
