Skip to main content

Coughlin Campanile

Coughlin Campanile

Coughlin Campanile, the face of South Dakota State University, is a chimes tower that stands 165 feet tall.

Building Description

Completed in 1929 at a cost of $75,000, the Campanile took 320,000 bricks to build. The campanile rings out the time on the hour and plays music during the 10-minute period in-between classes as students are walking on campus.

The Campanile was a gift from 1909 electrical engineering graduate Charles Coughlin, who was the president of the Briggs and Stratton Company from 1935 to 1972. Coughlin was born in Carthage, SD on Nov. 10, 1885. The tower of Indiana white limestone, red brick and concrete received a $600,000 full restoration during the 2001 construction season. A speaker replaced the chimes in July 1995. The Campanile was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. A keyboard is located in Lincoln Hall to play the chimes located at the top of the structure.

To visit the campanile and climb its 180 steps, check out a key at the Alumni Center or the University Police Department.

Video Tour

Physical Address:

940 Medary Ave.
Brookings, SD 57007

Interactive Map

The interactive map allows users to plot directions between buildings and show locations of highlighted features and services across the SDSU campus. Click on the image below to direct you to the SDSU interactive map.

Map snapshot of Coughlin Campanile