Friday, April 22. 1960 University Daily Kansan
Page 7
Blake Hall, Born in Jealousy, Still Survives
Blake Hall, even in its decrepit old still rides the winds of man's whimsey.
It was born in jealousy 65 years ago, and today it is standing dormant since being replaced by Malott Hall in 1952.
Jealousy between two men dictated its Chateau Renaissance architectural styling which has caused countless stories to be written over the years criticizing its unique structure since it was finished in 1895 at a cost of $58,000.
In 1957 the Legislature appropriated $350,000 for the renovation of the building, but the lowest contractor's bid was more than $550,000. The project was dropped.
Today the Board of Regents has not considered the old physics building in its long range building plans. Blake Hall has been used for
storage since it was vacated for Malott Hall in 1952.
Raymond Nichols, executive secretary of the University, said that plans would call for a rearrangement of the building to be used to house the foreign language departments if it were remodeled.
It takes but a minimum of architectural knowledge to see that little similarity exists between Blake and Green Halls. Yet, the original plans for Blake, as drawn up in 1893, called for a building closely resembling the present-day Green Hall.
Lucien Blake, professor of physics met a young architect in 1892 named Wells. The two drew up plans for the new physics building and submitted them to the state architect.
A clipping in the Daily Kansan of Jan. 24, 1919, states: "Professional
jealousy led the state architect to draw up his plans as different from those of Wells as possible. For this reason, the unusual architecture of Blake Hall."
The University Review of March, 1895, the year the building was completed, screams out against the new building; "The standstone front of the Physics building looks like a speckled chicken. The iron in the stones shows more plainly than the stone itself. If there be no lotion that will remove these blemishes, let a screen be put before the building.
"The Regents should think twice before accepting unconditionally the sorry looking structure with its chubby, freckled face, its one eye with a cross above it, and its monstrous hat."
No iron was used in the construc tion of the building below the roof.
This was to facilitate physics experiments with instruments which iron would ruin. However, a movable coil galvanometer not affected by iron soon was installed and the trouble and expense of sans-iron construction went for nothing.
For six years from 1914 to 1920 the hands of the clock remained steady at 8:25. In 1921 the clock was removed in favor of a new device. The new clock also had its troubles, stopping and starting frequently without explanation.
As if the building's troubles were not great enough, the clock which was installed never did keep accurate time. Repairs to the temperamental timepiece cost the department of physics some $150 annually.
The latest episode dealing with the Blake clock occurred a year ago. A man was seen standing in the clock
with a light silhouetting him against the clock. Police investigated the clock and found a cardboard dummy tacked upright.
In 1911 Blake Hall's reputation was already established as being a little odd. A Daily Kansan story dated January 24, 1911, reported:
"The major service of Blake Hall has been as a Physics building. Some parts have served queer purposes, however. For instance, several years before the completion of Robinson Gymnasium the top floor of Blake Hall was used as a gymnasium for the women students in the University."
This country is composed of two kinds of people. One group believes that the government can support all the citizens. The other wonders whether all the citizens can support the government—James A. Farley
WELCOME to 35th K.U. RELAYS
Alumni, Visitors, Jayhawkers
The Kansas Union Building will be your Relays Center. Make the Kansas Union Hawk's Nest and Cafeteria your Center for quick economical meals
Hours For Your Convenience
Hours For Your Convenience
CAFETERIA HAWK'S NEST
Breakfast 7:00-8:30 Friday 7:30-11:00
(Sunday) 8:30-9:15
Lunch 11:00-1:20 Saturday 7:30-11:00
(Sunday) 11:00-1:30
Dinner 5:00-6:30 Sunday 1:30-10:30
KANSAS UNION Hawk's Nest & Cafeteria
Your Relays Center
For Quick, Economical, Delicious Meals