THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

John Straub Memorial Hall

Architect: Lawrence & Holford. Contractors: Hanson & Hammond (Portland); Pacific Iron Works; Fred Shearer & Son (Plasater); Williamson & Co. (Heating, Plumbing); David L. Hoggan (cast stone); Willamina Brick. Lighting fixtures: Frederick Baker; Interior Lunette Paintings: K. E. Hudson.

History

• 1928. Construction began in Feb. 1928 and ended Sept.
• 1928. The Men's Dormitory, which could hold 300, replaced Friendly Hall as the main men's housing unit. This was the first building to make use of a legislative act which enabled the Board of Regents to issue bonds for construction. Its design influenced later dorm construction: Work began on this reinforced concrete and steel structure in February 1928 and construction ended in September of that year.The u-shaped building consisted of six practically separate units around a central room. Each segment was intended to be a self-governing social unit. The units were named after professors Barrister, Kane; Greek letters, Alpha, Gamma, Omega, and Sherry Ross, first settler and owner of Ross Island. The original six dining facilities could hold 500.
• 1933. The Men's Dorm was named in honor of John Straub, Professor of Greek (1879-1934) and Dean of Men 1920-32.
• 1955. Earl Hall added to the rear (east).
• 1975. Straub was remodeled and became home to the Psychology Department.
• 2002. Addition & Renovation. Architect: L. A. Kersh Architecture, Eugene. Added space for the Lewis Center for Neuroimaging and altered courtyard. The Center was dedicated in October 2002.

Bibliography

Books & Parts of Books

Newspaper Articles, arranged chronologically:

• 1920s
  • "Portland woman wills dormitory for men students," Daily Emerald, 01/08/1927, 1
  • "Regents vote to construct men's dorm," Daily Emerald, 01/24/1928, 1
  • "More men to live in newly planned dorm," Daily Emerald, 02/02/1928, 1
  • "First earth is turned by Dr. Hall, and work on new dorm starts," Daily Emerald, 02/21/1928, 4
  • "New men's dorm will cost about $300,000; excavations started," Daily Emerald, 02/24/1928, 6
  • "Dean Shirrell explains plans for new dorm," Daily Emerald, 02/28/1928, 1
  • "Bids for dormitory to open next Friday," Daily Emerald, 02/29/1928, 4
  • "Dorm contract let by Regents," Daily Emerald, 03/06/1928, 3
  • "Builders end row with men," Daily Emerald, 03/28/1928, 2
  • "Rapid progress made on men's dormitory," Daily Emerald, 04/10/1928, 2
  • "$310,000 bid lowest made for new dorm," Daily Emerald, 03/03/1928, 1
  • "Roof of new men's hall near completion," Daily Emerald, 05/12/1928, 3
• 1940s
  • "Versatile relic still ticks time,"Clock gives time, day and month", Daily Emerald, 07/15/1948, 4
• 1970s
  • "Straub [trash] fire squelched," Daily Emerald, 05/17/1955, 1
  • "Straub Hall's future in doubt, Senate fights to save dorm", Daily Emerald, 03/06/1970, 2
  • "State panel backs new approach in UO building study: Committee recommends UO dorm be made academic building," Register Guard , 1971/10/06 , 12B
  • "State groups mull Straub changeover," Daily Emerald, 10/07/1971, 3
  • "Dorm conversion delay urged; UO student chief demurs," Register Guard , 1971/10/20 , 7B "More protests plan to convert Straub," Daily Emerald, 10/21/1971, 1
  • "Board to determine Straub Hall's future," Daily Emerald, 10/25/1971, 3
  • "Board votes to convert dorm," Register Guard , 1971/10/25 , 1B
  • "Straub Hall to become psychology building," Daily Emerald, 10/26/1971, 1
  • "Unfair to students: Straub conversion," Register Guard , 1971/10/31 , 12A
  • "Board may consider Straub Hall action," Daily Emerald, 12/09/1971, 3
  • "State board to pay UO dorm fund loss," Register Guard , 1971/12/15 , 9F
  • "Straub remodeling deferred," Daily Emerald, 09/25/1972, 5
  • "Straub Hall, parking on State Board agenda," Daily Emerald, 09/26/1972, 1
  • "Straub bids too high; rejected," Daily Emerald, 01/11/1973, 2
• 2002
  • News, Lewis Center for Neuroimaging, 6 Oct. 2003.