Friday, Nov. 1, 1963 University Daily Kansan
Page 17
New Fraser to Preserve Familiar KU Traditions
By Kay Jarvis (City Editor)
One of the most familiar sights to KU students and alumni will soon disappear with the razing of Fraser Hall.
The flavor of its tradition, however, will be transferred to its replacement. Not only will the new building bear the name of its predecessor, but also the well known flags and red roof.
The new Fraser, scheduled to be built within the next five years, will stand just east of the old building. Although the architectural plans are not yet completed, a six-to eight-story structure is planned at an estimated cost of over $1 million.
Fraser was built in 1872 for $182,000, a cost shared equally by the Legislature and the city of Lawrence.
At the time, it was the largest educational building in the United States and the first building on the present University sight.
Previously, KU had been housed in North College Hall, which stood where Gertrude Sellards Pearson dormitory is now.
GEN. JOHN FRASER, a civil war veteran and second chancellor of KU, planned and directed the construction of University Hall, as it was first called. At the time of its dedication, Fraser phrophesied it would be "sufficient to meet the needs of the school for the next 50 years."
Gen. Fraser underestimated the school's growth. Within the next fifty years, four other buildings were needed.
Twenty-five years after its construction, the building was renamed in honor of Gen. Fraser.
During its ninety year life, Fraser has undergone many changes. Only seven years after its construction, what was then termed the "misfit" porch was added at the east entrance.
THIS PORCH HAD originally been designed for the hospital at Osawatomie. However, through a mistake in stone cutting it didn't fit in with the architecture. Since it could not be used for its original purpose it was offered to KU.
The gift was readily accepted by the Board of Regents, who had appropriated only enough money for wood stems at the east entrance.
This porch, which never quite fit in with Fraser's architecture either, remained until 1950, when it was removed because of deterioration. The stone steps and landing are all that now remain.
Neither the American flag, nor the KU banner, which are so common to us now, were flown originally from the twin towers.
ONE TOWER WAS used for weather flags — white for fair weather, blue for stormy and both for unsettled weather. The other tower displayed the chancellor's pennant during registration, the football pennant on game days and Old Glory on national holidays.
During World War 1, the American flag was displayed daily, a practice which became permanent. Not until 1939 was the KU flag used. The interior of Fraser saw the introduction of electric lights, the telephone and a pipe organ in the auditorium.
(Continued on Page 32)
6-Hour Photo-Finishing FAST MOVIE AND 35 MM COLOR SERVICE (By Eastman Kodak)
HIXON STUDIO
Bob Blank — Herb Williams
721 Mass VI 3-0330
—Photo by Don Black
IT'S STILL HERE—Fraser Hall, KU's oldest building and the largest educational building in the nation at the time it was built is used daily for classes and offices. Although the "tired" twin towered structure is scheduled to be demolished in a few years, its spirit will never die in the minds of many.
Welcome Back Alums!
"Skin" the Wildcats!
We salute the KU team at Homecoming, 63 Good luck in tomorrow's game!
We hope you enjoy the 1963 Homecoming festivities!
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100 of their finest performances in SONG/OPERA/OPERETTA
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VI 3-2644