Historic Resource Survey Form : Friendly Hall
Loading...
Date
2006
Authors
Johnson, Susan
Dietzler, Karl
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Friendly Hall was the fourth building to be constructed by the University of Oregon. It was designed by architects Whidden
and Lewis, who were outstanding in their field. According to the campus architecture guide compiled by Ed Teague, Whidden worked
for the firm of McKim, Mead and White before going into partnership with Lewis. Whidden and Lewis together designed many projects,
including the Portland City Hall. Friendly Hall was originally designed in the Georgian style as a co-ed dormitory with separate gender
entrances (south for men, north for women) and a common dining hall. It reportedly switched to a men’s dormitory soon after opening.
Its period of significance is the construction date, 1893, through when it last served as a dormitory, 1932. Being of three and a half
story brick bearing walls, the original portion has a foundation mystery. According to architecture professor Donald Peting, Friendly,
Deady and Villard Halls all have parged masonry foundations. The 1914 building plans for Friendly indicate a mix of brick and concrete
in the foundation at that time. Further research could possibly clarify what the foundation material(s) are.
According to UO Facilities Services’ website, the East Hall Dormitory was renamed for Samson H. Friendly, “a pioneer
Eugene store merchant and founding regent of the university from 1895 to 1915.” When Straub Hall opened in 1928, Friendly was
used as a dormitory for a few more years, as there is evidence of student residents living in Friendly Hall from a Eugene City Directory
dated 1932. However, its role changed shortly thereafter. Since then, the building has housed many departments including the current
Languages Departments (Romance, East Asian, and Germanic).
Description
4 pages
Keywords
cultural resources survey, architecture, history