Bowles Hall | |
Berkeley Landmark No. 120 | |
 Bowles Hall as seen from the southern, front side. | |
    | |
| Location | Berkeley, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°52′24.1″N 122°15′10.5″W / 37.873361°N 122.252917°W |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | George W. Kelham |
| Architectural style | Tudor |
| Website | bowleshall.org |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000195 |
| BERKL No. | 120 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1989 |
| Designated BERKL | October 17, 1988[1] |
Bowles Hall is a coed residential college at the University of California, Berkeley,[2] known for its unique traditions, parties,[3][4] and camaraderie.[5][6] Designed by George W. Kelham, the building was the first residence hall on campus, dedicated in 1929, and was California's first state-owned residence hall.[7] It was built in 1928 with a $350,000 grant from Mary McNear Bowles in memory of her husband, Berkeley alumnus and University of California Regent Phillip E. Bowles. Mr. Bowles was said to have three loves: horses, horticulture and the University of California.[8]
Although a university-operated residence hall, its male-only tradition, classic façade, partitioned four-man rooms, and common areas gave it a social, fraternity-like atmosphere. "Bowlesmen" have traditionally been a tight-knit group of students who regularly practice various traditions and rituals that are exclusive to the Hall. With its pale stone exterior, five-arch entry arcade, and crenelated tower, it was listed in 1989 in the National Register of Historic Places as an example of 'Collegiate Gothic' architecture.[9]
From 2006 to 2014, a group of former residents worked with Berkeley officials, planning the Hall's restoration and reconstitution as a co-ed residential college. Following a 14-month restoration in a public-private partnership, the Hall reopened in August 2016, welcoming female students for the first time.
- ^ "Berkeley Landmarks". Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
- ^ Harvey Helfand (2002). The Campus Guides: University of California Berkeley. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. p. 257. ISBN 1-56898-293-3.
- ^ "Bowles Halloween Party Nixed By School". Daily Californian. October 19, 2004. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ "Bowles Hall Halloween Bash Results In Arrests". Daily Californian. November 3, 2003. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ "Castle with a Thousand Tales". Daily Californian. September 16, 1996. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ "Bowlesmen Are More Than Boys". Caliber Magazine. Nov 10, 2012. Archived from the original on 2016-02-10. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ "Bowles Hall History". Archived from the original on 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ "Philip E. Bowles". Alameda County Biography. Archived from the original on 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ "Bowles Hall". National Park Service.
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