EWU Historic District Tour

1915 Normal School / Showalter Hall

Showalter Hall is a contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 The third Normal School building officially opened in 1915, two years after the fiery destruction of the 1896 school building in April 1912. The 3-story building held both the administrative offices and classrooms, as well as the school library.

 The formal dedication took place on Saturday, May 22, 1915. In another ceremony on June 14, 1940, the building was rededicated as Showalter Hall in honor of Normal School President, Noah D. Showalter.

 The design of the building is an eclectic style that includes elements of Classical and Renaissance Revival. The frame was built of steel and reinforced concrete as insurance against fire after the loss of the two prior school buildings.

 The brick for the new building came from a factory at Mica, Washington and the terra-cotta used in the decoration of the building came from Renton, Washington. The wainscoting is of beautiful Alaskan marble, specially chosen and matched. The floors are of marble or a light terrazzo with mosaic boarder. The interior woodwork is solid oak in a light fume and the walls are tinted to give an old ivory effect. Classroom floors are of veneer hardwood.

 While the rooms themselves have been converted for new purposes, the original doorways and walls can still be seen throughout the building.

1920 Senior Hall

Senior Hall is a contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 Senior Hall was dedicated as the second Normal School women's dormitory on 9 July 1920. While today there is a walkway, in the early days, D Street and automobile traffic passed in front of the building. While the building opened in 1920, work on the third floor wasn't finished until 1925 due to financial issues.

Senior Hall is one of the few campus buildings not named for a person. It was originally a three-story brick, U-shaped building with an entrance at each end of the front of the building covered by cast-iron canopies, very similar to Monroe Hall. Within the U at the back of the hall, was a sheltered courtyard.

The building was declared unfit for student housing because of outdated wiring and fire safety concerns in 1971 and converted to office space.

In 2006, Senior Hall underwent an extensive renovation, that filled in the U at the rear of the building with classrooms. That renovation added a new central front entrance but kept most of the other exterior features of the original hall. Much of the interior of the building was altered in the remodel and modernization of the building, though historical elements can be found throughout.

1929 President's House

President's House is a contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 This two-story Georgian Colonial style house was completed in 1929 for President, Richard T. Hargreaves and his wife, Edna "Rose" Morrow Hargreaves.

 In 1946, a two-car garage with an attached outdoor fireplace was built in back at the C Street side of the property. Between the garage and the house is a large brick barbecue with chimney and segmental arched fireplace.

 The home was occupied by succeeding school presidents until 1987. It then became a faculty club, as well as a special events venue for the college and community. Weddings, receptions, and other special occasions were held in the renamed University House until 1998. That summer, President Stephen Jordan and his wife, Ruth, moved into the President's House, returning it to its original use. The Jordans instigated a renovation of the interior to restore it as closely as possible to its original elegance, though the kitchen was modernized.

1917 Heating Plant

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District, due to the modifications to its original design.

 The original Normal School heating plant was located in the basement of the 1896 school building. With the addition of a Training School building in 1908, a tin-clad building was erected on the current site for a new larger, coal-fired furnace, heating plant. Young men worked their way through school helping move coal or ashes.

 In 1917, a larger one-story building was erected around that original building. The building stood out on the campus with its 104-foot concrete chimney and a bell tower that was an icon for Normal students for decades. The bell could be heard across the campus and was used to rally students for games and campus events, as well as announce the beginning of the school year and for the commencement procession. The bell tower was removed in the 1960s, and the chimney was pulled down in 1973.

 The heating plant function moved to the Rozell Heating Plant off Washington Street in 1967. Since then, the old building has been used for storage and other maintenance purposes.

1916 Monroe Hall

Monroe Hall is a contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 Monroe Hall was the first dormitory built at the Normal School. It was dedicated 4 February  1916, and housed about 90 women. It was named for Mrs. Mary Monroe, chair of the Board of Trustees in 1913.

 Monroe Hall featured a dining room and laundry facility for its residents. Prior to this, all students boarded in private homes, boarding houses, clubs, and “light housekeeping” rooms. People who made a living from providing room and board to students saw this new dormitory the of killing private enterprise by the state. It began the "town & gown" schism within Cheney as students had more of their needs met within the school campus and there was less of an interdependency between the town and school.

 Monroe Hall is three stories, originally a U-shaped building, it also had a one-story middle wing off the back that contained a smaller dining room and the kitchen with a three-story chimney.

 In the summer of 1951, Monroe Hall closed for repairs, reopening that September as a men's dormitory. In 1968, it was converted to office space. Its major renovation of 1999-2000, converted the hall to classroom and office space, erasing most of its original interior features.

1940 Hargreaves Library / Hall

Hargreaves Hall is a contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 From the time he became President of the Normal School in 1926, Richard T. Hargreaves wanted to build a modern library for the school. His death on 4 March 1939, midway through construction of the new building, caused the building to be named for him as a memorial to his efforts.

 On 4 June 1940, the school held a double dedication ceremony for Hargreaves Library and Showalter Hall, fitting memorials to two men who brought the school through uncertain times and into the modern age.  

 Hargreaves Library was originally a two-story building with a red tile roof that was replaced with red composite shingles in 1968. The main feature of the library was the 140 by 40-foot, second floor reading room with its 27-foot high ceiling and nine 18-foot windows of special blue glass that allowed in plenty of light, but shielded the room from glare and UV.

 After Kennedy Library opened in 1967, the renamed Hargreaves Hall was used as classroom and office space.

 In 2009, a significant remodel and expansion project returned much of the original historical character to the building, with a new section at the rear of the building that blends materials and design to the historic part.

 While most of the features of the reading room were returned during the 2009 remodel, the blue glass proved prohibitively expensive, so UV protected clear glass is now used for the large arched windows. Re-dedicated as the Walt and Myrtle Powers Reading Room, it is now used as a study area, as well as for special events.

1956 Isle Hall

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District but retains many of its mid-1950s features.

 Work commenced on a new Student Union building in May 1954. The students chose to dedicate the building as Isle Hall in memory of President Walter W. Isle who died January 1951 of a heart attack.

 24 September 1956, Isle Hall was opened for business as the Student Union and College Bookstore.

 After the completion of the new Pence Union Building in 1970, portions of Isle Hall became classrooms and offices.

 Walter W. Isle (1899-1951.) Dr. Isle was hired as college president in 1945 to direct the school during the turbulent period of expansion following World War II. He oversaw the acquisition of surplus buildings and construction needed to accommodate the post-war enrollment explosion.

1951 Anderson Hall

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District but is an example of mid-century design.

 On 2 August 1949, Eastern Washington College of Education began selling $700,000 of bonds for the construction of a new women's dormitory.

 The residence hall was completed in the autumn of 1951, but was known as the "new hall" or "new dorm" until the spring of 1955 when it was dedicated as Louise Anderson Hall. The name was soon shortened to Anderson Hall, and later further shortened to LA Hall by students. The dorm included a spacious living room furnished with modern furniture, where dances and social events were featured. On the lower floor was a dining hall for campus residents.

 In the early 1970s the residence hall became co-ed and was later converted to office and conference space.

 About 1998, the demand for student housing caused LA Hall to revert to a co-ed dormitory again.

 During the 2017-2019 remodel of the PUB, LA Hall housed the EWU Bookstore and several other functions.

 Louise C. Anderson, 1886-1979, attended the State Normal School at Cheney 1913-1918, graduating with a life teaching certificate. Mrs. Anderson joined the faculty in 1914 and retired at the end of Spring Quarter 1956 as a teacher of Home Economics. She also served as an advisor to the Tawanka Club.

1917 City Well

This building is not part of the EWU campus but is a historic city waterworks building.

The well digging was underway in 1915 and this building was erected for the waterworks machinery in 1917. It is the oldest surviving structure of the municipal waterworks.

1964 Pearce & 1966 Dressler

This pair of dorms do not contribute to the EWU Campus Historic District but are unique and iconic architecture on the campus skyline.

Construction of Pearce Hall commenced in 1962.

George H. "Doc" Pearce. Pearce began working as a custodian at the Normal School in 1912. He retired as superintendent of buildings in 1947. Doc was so well loved by students that they voted to name the new men's dormitory in his honor when it was dedicated in January 1964.

 His real fame at the school was as a friend to students and as its number one athletic booster. Pearce earned the affectionate name of Doc, because he taught students the tricks of living and of finding a soul mate--not something part of the formal curriculum--but was called Fussology by students. He was a mentor to many on campus.

The contract to build Dressler Hall, a second circular tower dorm was announced on 22 August 1965, with an expected cost of $1,743,000.

Named for Graham McFarland Dressler who taught Language Arts at Eastern from 1940 until 1958, when he died of a heart attack. He was also very active in the Cheney community, having served eight years on the city council and as the head of the parks and playgrounds department. Dr. Dressler was a popular instructor and an ardent supporter of the university. Students voted to name the dormitory in his memory when it opened for use Spring Quarter 1966.

The two circular dorms have been called "the silos," "beer cans," and "salt & pepper shakers" by students of different eras.

1967 JFK Library

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

Construction of the new library commenced during 1965.

 The John F. Kennedy Library opened for use Fall Quarter of 1967 and was dedicated in his honor. The art installation on the front of the building was taken from a doodle made by President Kennedy.

 The library underwent an extensive expansion and remodel that was finished in 1998. The doodle sculpture can still be found on the west front of the building.

 The assassination of President Kennedy (1917-1963), the youngest man elected President of the United States was traumatic for the nation. The college, like many communities sought to honor his memory and his vocal support for education. While Kennedy never visited Cheney (he did come to Spokane during a campaign trip, mispronouncing its name Spo-CANE). 

2004 Jore School Heritage Center

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

This schoolhouse pays tribute to the many teachers trained at the Cheney Normal School to teach in rural schools like this one.

 The Jore schoolhouse building was originally located about eight miles west of Newport, Washington. The building was moved to the EWU campus in 2000. Since its placement on the campus, a new tradition has been established with the University President ringing the bell at the start of the academic year.

 The schoolhouse is used to show students a one-room school and the teaching environment of our area pioneers, also for special campus events.

1915 Manual Arts / Huston Hall

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 This, very plain, functionally styled building was erected in six months at a cost of $12,295. It opened in the fall of 1915, housing the Manual Training and Physical Training departments of the Normal School. The building you see today, barely resembles the original. The interior has been completed gutted and remodeled, while the exterior has additional wings, as well as other changes.

 You might expect manual arts to include woodworking, but it also included needlework, basketry, sewing, and drawing.

 In 1933, the name changed to Industrial Arts along with a change in the curriculum. With the completion of Cheney Hall for Industrial Arts in 1969, the Maintenance Shop moved in. The new Surbeck Services facility for the maintenance shop opened in 1981.

 Construction of the new Computer Center got underway February 1984. An old addition to the Manual Arts building was demolished, and the interior was gutted. New wings were then added on the east and north of the original building. The building was renamed for former English professor and benefactor, Frances B. Huston in 2006.

1937 Martin Hall

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 The new Laboratory School in Martin Hall was a cutting-edge facility with the most modern equipment when it opened in 1937. As the number of children enrolled in the elementary grades at the college Training School continued to grow, the old 1908 Training School building was no longer adequate and its facilities had become outdated. By 1930, the Board of Trustees was looking for funds to replace the old 1908 school. However, the Great Depression meant there was no money available from the state legislature. But in 1935, the federal Public Works Administration approved the Trustees' proposal, and work began on a new school.

 Martin Hall was dedicated to Cheney native, Governor Clarence D. Martin on 6 April 1937 during a two-day education conference held in the building. The hall contained the new Laboratory School for teacher training.

 In 1938, a gymnasium was added to the building. Williamson Hall was added to the north side of Martin Hall, dedicated in 1979.

 After the Campus School was completed to the west of Martin Hall in 1959, the hall was converted to classrooms, lab space, and offices.

1923 Sutton Hall

Sutton Hall is a contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District.

 An influx of male students after World War I, meant the Normal School needed additional housing for men. A group of Cheney businessmen used private bond funding to erect a new men's dormitory.

 In order to respond quickly to the need, a group of businessmen and the Board of Trustees came to an agreement. The businessmen would provide the funds for building a men's dormitory by issuing private bonds to the school that would be repaid later. In honor of the service William J. Sutton had given to the school and the community, they dedicated the new hall in his name on 21 September 1923.

 Sutton Hall is 3-stories that looks like the letter H, made of brick with a concrete foundation and a flat roof. It is 133 feet long with two 111-foot wings. Originally, there were sleeping porches at the rear of the building.

 In 1971, Sutton Hall housed male military veterans, many of whom had recently returned from the war in Vietnam. The building was extensively remodeled into offices in 1978. The entire interior was dismantled in 1996 leaving no trace of the building's original function as a dormitory. Another interior remodel took place in 2001. Sutton Hall now serves as office space. The outside of the building looks very much like it did back in 1923, with only minor changes.

1929 Philena Apartments

The Philena is not a campus building but is a contributing building to the Central Cheney Historic District.

This faded gem was built by businessman and Cheney mayor, Clarence D. Martin in 1929, named in honor of his mother, Philena. It was erected as housing for single faculty members of the Cheney Normal School.

 It is a three-story building in a Romanesque style. The brick building has striking arched windows and terra cotta decoration. The front door was originally flanked by two concrete pedestals that held decorative wrought iron lamp posts.

 The rich interior originally had hardwood plank flooring and painted wood wainscoting. There was a hanging, hexagonal light fixture made of wrought iron above the stairway foyer. French doors lead off the main foyer.

 Over time, the Philena transitioned from faculty housing to housing female students, then both women and men, and finally was purchased by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The fraternity closed around 2020. The building has been renovated and returned to use as an apartment building.

1930 High School / Schoolhouse Lofts

This building is on the Cheney Historic Register and contributes to the Central Cheney Historic District.

In early 1929, three additional school districts merged into the Cheney district. That February, the Superintendent and board created a plan to present to the public that included converting the 1913 high school into a junior high, demolishing the 1893 school building, salvaging its bricks, and building a new high school on its site. Voters approved that bond.

 The 3-story Gothic style building is 99 feet wide by 172 feet long.  It is made of brick with terra cotta trim. The school included modern equipment for science labs, manual arts, and home economics, as well as a 750 seat auditorium on the 3rd floor. The ground floor had a gymnasium that could seat 1,000 spectators.

 On January 22, 1930, 226 students and 15 faculty moved into the new high school, bringing desks, library and classroom books, and equipment from the 1913 building in a day-long effort.

 Amid the hustle and bustle the "boss" of each department could be heard issuing commands and seen doing odd jobs along with his fellow workers, and students.

 From the library came the echoes, "Next! What's your number?" "This way to the classics section." "where's number 23?" "Oh, he's coming. He dropped his load in a snow bank and has to dig out."

 While the move was not completed that day, regular classes resumed the following day. An open house for the community was held on 6 February 1930.

 Fall 1967 with the opening of the new high school on north 6th street, the old school was renamed Fisher Junior High in honor of George A. Fisher. After the new Junior High opened in 1977, the Fisher Building continued to house the administration offices, as well as homes school and other special district functions until 2015.

 The building was sold to Eastmark Capital Group who renovated the building to create 36 apartments focusing on university students. Many of the historic features of the interior were preserved. The renovation and transformation cost about $8 million creating the Schoolhouse Lofts.

Kissing Rock

This feature does not contribute to the EWU Campus Historic District but is part of college folklore.

Today, Kissing Rock is neglected and hidden by shrubbery. Perhaps that keeps it from being vandalized.

 Its history as a campus monument is long. Back in the Normal School days when women and men lived in separate housing facilities under very strict rules and the watchful eye of the housemother, young people didn't get much of a chance to be alone together. The flat-topped rock came be a place where a courting couple, after several months, would go to hold hands and maybe seal their devotion to each other with a discreet kiss.

 Please be careful if you squeeze through the shrubs to visit.

1892 City Park / 1924 Veterans' Memorial

The park and memorial contribute to the Central Cheney Historic District.

On 8 February 1892 a deed between the Northern Pacific Railroad and the City of Cheney gave this block of land to the city for the purpose of a city park.

 The block remain undeveloped scrubland pine forest until 1906, when the women's Tilicum Club and men's Commercial club launched a project to create a useable park.

 The women were in charge of the publicity and organizing the fundraising activities, while the men organized the labor forces to clear away the rubbish and prepare the ground. The women also organized school children to help the men, as well as make sure there were plenty of refreshments for the workers.

 By the spring of 1910 the park was in a useable state. The Tilicum Club spearheaded a May Day Festival at the park, bringing together the Normal School, business community, and residents. There was a May Day Queen, a parade, games, and activities. It was such a success the festival was held every year, interrupted by World War II, and returned into the 1950s.

 The City of Cheney took over the maintenance of the park in 1940.

 The memorial in the park was the project of the Women's Relief Corps George Wright Post No. 8, an auxiliary of Cheney's Civil War veterans' Grand Army of the Republic post.

 Their fundraising efforts in the community included the Normal School donating some of the granite stones from the burned 1896 school building. In 1915, those stones were placed in the park to create the 5-foot high base of the monument. The monument itself was quarried from Medical Lake in 1923 and placed on the base in time for the 11 November 1924 Armistice Day ceremony and dedication.

 The Women's Relief Corps and then the American Legion and VFW have cared for and added new conflicts and names to the memorial. City Park was renamed to Veteran's Park in 2007 in honor of its central monument.

1928 Catholic Church / 1971 American Indian Education Center

This is a non-contributing building to the EWU Campus Historic District but is important in Cheney's history.

The one-story building has a full basement and was described as "bungalow Gothic" with an interior finish in the mission style. It is wood-frame with a brick veneer exterior. It was dedicated by the bishop of Spokane Diocese on 28 December 1928.

The church was in use until the new St. Rose of Lima church was dedicated in 1970. The stained glass windows and other religious relics were removed from the building.

 It was re-dedicated as the EWU Indian Studies department, now called the Indian Education Center.