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University Daily Kansan, October 9, 1981
Great Times
Ornate designs marked early campus buildings
By DEBRA BATES and LISA MASSOTH Staff Reporters
Many of the orate and elaborate buildings on the KU campus are the result of one man's obsession with turrets.
John G. Haskell, one of the first state architects of Kansas, designed four of the buildings on campus—Balley, Hall, and Berry Court, which was later reopened Ferman Hall.
Haskell, who preferred designing public buildings to private residences, had a habit of placing turrets, or tower shaped projections, on his buildings.
Although Haskell didn't design all the buildings on carmus, the influence of
The old building had some rather distinguishing characteristics. Haskell, who was also an architect for the state hospital at Osawatomie, offered the Board of Regents a portico designed for the hospital that couldn't be used as intended because of a mistake by the stonecutters. The portico was shipped to Lawrence and erected at the east entrance of Fraser.
Old Fraser also had a completely new foundation built under it a bit at a time because the original foundation did not extend the way to bedrock. SPODER
Spooner Hall housed KU's first library and was completed in 1894.
The architects ignored the old idea that a library was only a storage room or a public resource.
Dyche Museum, named in honor of Professor L.L. Dyche.
his work is seen in some of the older buildings on Mount Oread.
Here is a brief history of the buildings on the KU campus:
ERASED
the second chancellor of the University, Gen. John Fraser, was so interested in the new University building that he gave most of his time and thought to help Haskell plan and design the building. Those who were acquainted with the chancellor said they could see his sturdy Scotch character reflected in the building's architecture.
from other buildings on campus that many of the students didn't care for it. A student namer published in 1805 said:
Fraser, first known as University Hall, was built in 1872 and torn down in 1965. The new Fraser was rebuilt in 1967.
UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
the rooms in a simple yet convenient manner, adapted to the stack system of handling books first used at Harvard University. The University of Michigan was the second school to use the stack and KU was the third. BK AKE
"The sandstone front of the physics building looks like a speckled chicken. The iron in the stone shows more plainly than the stone itself. If there be no lotion that will remove these blemishes, let a screen be put before you. It is better to wear twice before accepting unconditionally the sorrowful looking structure with its chubby, frrecked face, its one eye with a cross above it and its monstrous hat."
The architectural style of the first Blake Hall was so radically different
Old Blake Hall, built in 1895 and dismantled in 1963, was named for Lucien I. Blake, professor of physics and astronomy, in 1898. The new Blake was built in 1964. BAT EV
Haskell and E. H. S. Bailey, professor of chemistry, visited the best chemistry laboratories of the country to gather data about the properties of finest chemistry labs west of Chicago.
When the Legislature appropriated only $55,000 to build the chemistry hall, Haskell had to eliminate everything ornate he had planned for architectural effect. The need for light and many windows designed a design an interesting building. For years the students referred to the building as "Bailey's Barn."
Bailey Hall, first known as the Chemistry and Pharmacy Building, became the School of Education in 1955. DYCHE MUSEUM
The plan for this building was developed by Lewis Lindsay Dyche, professor of anatomy and physiology, who camped out on the site and hunted for food. Built in 1902, Dyche was built to exhibit, in a novel and natural manner. American mammals and birds.
Marvin Hall was planned by and named for F. O. Marvin, dean of the School of Engineering. The University decided this year to reedicate Marvin Hall for both F. O. Marvin and his colleagues. Marvin KU's third chancellor.
The building was finished in the fall of 1908, but there was no way to heat it. The old heating plant was inadequate, so Marvin Hall had to await the completion of an enlarged heating plant in 1909. (SCHNOP)
Strong Hall was known as the Administration Building, or Ad, until 1988, when it was named for KU's sixth chancellor, Frank Strong.
and the University's administrative offices. It was expected to cost $500,000.
STRONG
Strong was designed to house the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The original plans for Strong were quite elaborate. The outer wings were to be three stories, the central section our stories and the intermediate section was cut. The most striking feature of the design was a rotunda at the center of the building.
Lack of money altered the original plans considerably.
Haworth had suggested a geology and mining building.
He put in long hours with no pay during the summer months doing field work on the geology of Kansas.
The original Haworth Hall was torn down and Wescoe Hall now sits in its place. The new Haworth, built in 1969, houses human development and family life and some sciences.
Hoch Auditorium, named in honor of former Kansas Governor E.W. Hoch.
The east wing was completed in 1911,
the west wing in 1918 and the middle
section in 1924.
WATSON LIBRARY
Watson was named for Carrie Ann Watson, a former KU librarian. In a letter to Chancellor Ernest Hiram Lindley, Kansas Gov. Davis said, "I have a very warm place in my heart for this woman who disciplined us 'in silence' and inculcated in us a respect for good books."
The oak used in the original doors of Watson Library was taken from the bridge that used to cross the Missouri River below W. Leavenworth. [LND.FE]
Lindley Hall, built in 1943, was named for Chancellor Lindley, who was chancellor at KU from 1920 to 1939.
a bust of Lindley in the building reputedly lends good luck to those who rub its nose.
HAWORTH
Haworth Hall, built in 1908, was named for Erasmus "Daddy" Haworth, professor and head of the department of geology.
COMPUTER CENTER
LEARNED HALL
The $4 million computer center opened in October 1978. The center features a drive-up window for dropping off and picking up material, a window into the processing room and an auditorium for classes and meetings.
Learned Hall was built in 1963 and named for a former KU student, Stanley Learned, who went on to become president of Phillips Petroleum Co. Learned graduated from KU in 1924 with a degree in engineering.
Learned Hall was expanded in October 1973.
took
The auditorium was built in 1927. The architect was instructed to make temporary provisions for a basketball court directly in front of the stage. Old courts in that era are now is now, was considered a fire hazard and inadequate for indoor sports.
In 1929, by legislative action, it was named Hoch Memorial Auditorium, in honor of former Kansas Gov. E. W. Hoch.
After 1929, a committee was formed specifically for the purpose of naming buildings on campus.
Hoch is the only KU building named after someone who was not associated in any way with the University. MEMORIAL UNION BUILDING
The Kansas Union opened in September 1927. It is a monument to the 129 men and women of the University who died in World War I. Inside the cottontree of the building there is a copper box with the names of those 129.
See BUILDINGS page 9
Saddlebrook would like to invite you for Wine and Cheese, while you shop. Saturday, October 10, 1981
"The Legend" is coming to Ichabod's!!
Thursday, October 29th