In a compromise among territorial legislators, Laramie was given the university, Cheyenne was given the capitol, and Evanston was given $10,000 to build an insane asylum.

After designing Old Main early in his career, Hale moved to Utah and became an important figure in Salt Lake City architecture.

Its heavy stone construction, axial nature, symmetry, arch, and rectangular footprint all reflect the Romanesque style.

He included a central spire to serve both as a focal point for the structure and a signal of the building's importance.

Old Main was built to reflect Wyoming rather than copying university structures of the Eastern United States.

One can see the rough-textured body of the building representing the developing frontier, while the minimal usage of classical decoration might symbolize the emerging sophistication of the Wyoming population.

Originally the entrances to Old Main were elevated above ground level, so that visitors would ascend to the first floor before entering the building.

[6] Two Wyoming structures contemporary to Old Main are the Union Pacific Train Depot (1886) and State Capitol building (begun in 1887), both in Cheyenne.

University building construction today uses modern techniques and materials, such as steel, but still incorporate a rough-cut sandstone façade, resulting in a uniform architectural style throughout the campus.