Draft:Eastman Hall

Funding and Construction

The 1929 Minnesota state legislature provided $225,000 for "construction of physical education and classroom building and the acquisition by purchase or condemnation by the state teachers’ college board of such lands as the board shall determine to be necessary therefor, available for the year ending June 30, 1930”^[1]. The appropriation also provided funds to purchase additional land to add to campus. Property was purchased from the campus boundary just south of Riverview to 10^th Street South on the east side of 1^st Avenue South.

A home owned by J.E. Jenks stood on the property where Eastman Hall was to be constructed and moved just south of the Eastman Hall site in the fall of 1929.^[2] The home was renovated for $3,000 and named “Music Studio” to be used by department of Music.^[2] The home was demolished in 1969.^[3]

Construction started November 7, 1929. The building was designed by Minnesota state architect Clarence Johnston, who also designed the second Lawrence Hall, Old Model School building, Riverview and Shoemaker Hall.^[4] Designed in the Moorish style, Eastman Hall was the final campus building designed. A special bid was provided for "the use of special Minnesota clay brick for the exterior." That brick would also be ornamented in a "diaper pattern."^[4]

Construction contracts were awarded to A.G. Wahl and Sons (general), Charles Connor and Company (heating), and People’s Electrical Company (electrical).^[5]

Groundbreaking and Time Capsule

The cornerstone was laid February 12, 1929. Presiding over the ceremony was St. Cloud State president George Selke. Minnesota state senator J.D. Sullivan, who helped secure the appropriation, spoke at the cornerstone ceremony, praising the college and its soon to be completed physical education building.^[6]

A small copper time capsule box was placed underneath the cornerstone. Inside the box contained the 1929 St. Cloud State Talahi yearbook, St. Cloud Journal-Press final newspaper edition, a 1929 St. Cloud Journal-Press article about homecoming, a history of St. Cloud State, a roster signed by every current St. Cloud State student, and a St. Cloud State course catalog. The copper box was sealed by faculty member Marie Case. “Motion pictures” were taken by L.L. Williams – the fate of the film is unknown.^[6]

Opening and Dedication

Eastman Hall opened in September 1930. It contained a second floor main gymnasium to seat 1,100 spectators, which included two balconies reached from the building’s third floor. The building also contained two side gymnasiums and locker rooms located below the main gymnasium. Eastman Hall contained a 65 foot by 25-foot swimming pool finished with green and white tile, bringing a new sport to campus – swimming. With Eastman Hall’s opening, it relieved overcrowding in the Old Main building and the campus library located in the Old Model School building. Classes for psychology, sociology, and composition were to be moved to Eastman Hall.

The dedication took place in the building’s main gymnasium that day during homecoming. At the dedication, the building’s name was unveiled – Eastman Hall. It was named for Alvah Eastman, a prominent St. Cloud citizen who served as St. Cloud State’s resident director twice. Eastman also has owned and served as the editor the St. Cloud Journal-Press newspaper until 1929 when the paper merged with the St. Cloud Times.^[7] St. Cloud State president George Selke said of Eastman, “Throughout the many years since he first became director of the St. Cloud State Teachers college, Alvah Eastman has been its most valuable and most devoted friend. We honor the St. Cloud State Teachers college in naming its new physical education building for a man whose highest ambition has been the serving of this fellow man.” In response, Eastman said, “I’ll have to behave myself the rest of my life to live up to the reputation which has been given me here tonight.”^[8]

First and Last Men's Basketball Game at Eastman Hall

Eastman Hall was also home to inter-collegiate athletics. The first basketball game played at Eastman Hall occurred on January 10, 1931.^[9] St. Cloud State defeated St. John’s University, 24-23. The last basketball game was played on February 20, 1965. Here St. Cloud State defeated Moorhead State, 78-73. According to a press release dated Feb. 15, 1965, special guests were members of the 1930 St. Cloud State basketball team who played in the first game, including former head coach John Weismann, Edward Colletti, Malcolm Doane, and Gene Rengel.^[9]

Naming

At the October 3, 1930, dedication, the building’s name was officially unveiled – Eastman Hall. ^{[10] [11]} It was named for Alvah Eastman, a prominent St. Cloud citizen who served as resident director twice, 1901-1908 and 1926-1933. A resident director served on the Minnesota state college board and represented the campus – Eastman served for St. Cloud State. Eastman also has owned and served as the editor the "St. Cloud Journal-Press" newspaper until 1929 when the paper merged with the "St. Cloud Times". When Eastman died in December 1939, he was referred to as “St. Cloud’s First Citizen." ^[12]

Changes at Eastman Hall

Health Services was first housed in Eastman Hall.^[13] Health Services moved to Hill Hall in the summer of 1973.^[14]

In the fall of 1946, main gymnasium was a "temporary home of more than 100 veterans."^[15] The gym soon emptied in the next few days for basketball practice once the "new men's dormitory" (Brainard Hall) opened in the next few days.

More noticeable changes to Eastman Hall included the large west windows being bricked up in the spring of 1963 to “eliminate sun glare.” At the same time, the building’s four wooden doors were replaced with aluminum doors.^[16]

Halenbeck Hall opened in the summer of 1965 and became the new home for physical education. Eastman Hall would then serve as a fitness center, home for intramurals sports, faculty offices, and classrooms. Art, Student Teaching, ROTC, and, especially, English, were housed in Eastman Hall after 1965. The building closed sometime in 2012.

2019 Renovation

The 2017 Minnesota state legislature provided $18.5 million to renovate Eastman Hall.^[17] Renovation began in the fall of 2017 and completed in the summer of 2019. Home to the Center for Health and Wellness Innovation, Eastman Hall includes the Medical Clinic (formerly Student Health Services), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Recovery Resource Center, and the U-Choose program as well as others. A ribbon cutting officially opened the building on August 20, 2019, and a grand opening on September 29, 2019.^{[18] [19]}

References