Charles Augustus Wheaton. The 1,040-acre (420 ha) school campus is on a hill overlooking the Cannon River, at the northeast edge of Northfield. To the north and east is the 800-acre (320 ha) Cowling Arboretum, which was farm fields in the early years of the college.
The 0.25-acre (0.10 ha) Jo Ryo En Japanese Garden is located behind Watson Hall in the center of the campus.
=== Campus buildings ===
Several of Carleton's older buildings have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Willis Hall, the first building on campus, was constructed from 1869 to 1872. Originally the hall contained the men's dormitory, classrooms, library, and chapel. The building was gutted by fire in 1879, after which it was entirely rebuilt within the existing stone shell. The original front of the building became the rear entrance with the construction of Severance Hall in 1928. As new buildings were constructed, various academic departments cycled through the building. Beginning in 1954, Willis served as the …
