Bowles Hall

Bowles Hall
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Berkeley Landmark #120
Bowles Hall as seen from the southern, front side.
Location	Berkeley, California
Built	1928
Architect	George W. Kelham
Architectural style	Tudor
Governing body	University of California, Berkeley
NRHP Reference #	89000195
BERKL #	120
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	March 16, 1989
Designated BERKL	October 17, 1988[1]

Bowles Hall is an all-male residence dormitory 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 dormitory was the first residence hall on campus, dedicated in 1929, and was California's first state-owned dormitory.^[7] It was built in 1928 on a $350,000 grant by Mary McNear Bowles in memory of her husband, Cal alumnus and UC Regent Phillip E. Bowles.^[8] Mr. Bowles was said to have three loves: horses, horticulture and the University of California.^{[citation needed]} The Bowles family is said to have lost its fortune during the Depression.^{[citation needed]}

The Hall displays appearance of a medieval castle, with a stone exterior and a wood entryway. Although a University-operated residence hall, its male-only tradition, classic facade, partitioned four-man rooms, and community facilities give it a social fraternity atmosphere. Bowlesmen have traditionally been a tight-knit group of students who regularly practice various traditions and rituals that are exclusive to the Hall. In the 1980s, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, an example of the style of architecture called 'Collegiate Gothic'. The building is still being used as an all-men's residence, although some traditions have not survived.

The Building

An etching of the Bowles Hall crest. "Ut Tibi Sic Alteri" is the motto and it is translated as "As to yourself so to another."

Designed by George W. Kelham, the building has eight levels comprising two-room suites and a common room (originally designed to house two, but now housing four). The Julien and Helen Hart Memorial Library was added to the building in 1939 through the gift of Professor James D. Hart, their son, and Mrs. Joseph Bransten, their daughter. Dr. Hart was a professor of English and the editor of the Oxford Handbook of American Literature. After retirement, he ran the Bancroft Library. Bowles Hall also has the distinction of sitting right on top of the Hayward Fault.^[9]

In order to avoid having the aging residence hall dismantled in the late 1980s, the Bowlesmen successfully petitioned to have the building added to the National Register of Historic Places (#89000195, 1989), thereby saving it for future generations.^[10]

The hall was also designated a City of Berkeley landmark on October 17, 1988.^[11]

Bowles Hall drinking song

Traditionally the Cal Band parades from nearby Memorial Stadium through the campus and streets of Berkeley after a home football game. The band will play in front of Bowles Hall during their tour, playing "By" for the Bowlesmen.^[12] The tradition of playing "By" for Bowles Hall is said to have begun back when the entire football team lived there. The band would play for the players as they walked back to their dorm after the game. However, when the football team was relocated, the band decided not to play in front of Bowles Hall. Subsequently, some of the men of Bowles lay down in the road, blocking the Cal Band from playing, until the band was forced to oblige them. Thus, the tradition of the Cal Band playing for the men of Bowles after a home football game has persisted to this day.

We're the men of Bowles Association,
Coming here from over all the nation.
Drinking here together one and all,
We lift our voices loud for Bowles Hall!

(Chorus)

Here's to Bowles Association.
Drink it down and then,
Drink a toast to home sweet home,
Of California men. Rah! Rah! Rah!
Fill your glasses to the brim,
And lift them in the air.
And drink a toast to Bowles Association,
And the Golden Bear.

Men of Bowles are gathered here together,
Toasting everything from girls to weather.
But the very greatest toast of all,
Is the one that we now give to Bowles Hall!

(Chorus)

--Joseph Ehrman III, 1948

Current status

The UC administration attempted to dismantle Bowles Hall and build a new residence hall in its place, but this was deterred when Bowles Hall was entered into the National Register of Historic Places. In April 2001, food service in the dining hall was ended and the dining room made into a generic "recreation room."^[13] The dining hall had previously hosted popular barbecue dinners on Friday evenings.

Through each of these incidents, the fundamental culture of Bowles Hall persisted with the continual support of returning upper classmen who mentored the younger generations in both Hall and University life. In recent years, however, the dormitory has come under fire from the university housing administration who view Bowles life as "rowdy".^[14] Starting Fall 2005, new policies were instituted. Bowles Hall now only admits freshmen and aims to promote an academic atmosphere.^[15] Bowlesmen, both alumni and current residents, contend that the move stifles long-held traditions.^[16] In the fall of 2006, the Haas School of Business was planning to turn Bowles into an educational center and conference facility,^[17][18] but since then the school has backed down from that decision.^[19]

Famous alumni

• Norman Mineta - United States Secretary of Transportation (2001–2006)^[20]
• Les Richter - Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams^[21]
• John Tuggle - Former professional player (New York Giants 1983)^[22]
• Gale Gilbert - Former professional football quarterback
• David Cudaback, Astronomer (1929–2006)^[23]
• Andrew J. Liu and Alexander Darrow - Founders, Berkeley Edit] (now California Edit)^[24]

Movie appearances

• Boys and Girls ^[25] - Known as Carmen Hall in the movie.

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bowles Hall.

• Bowles Hall Web Site
• Bowles Hall Drinking Song
• Castle With a Thousand Tales
• National Register of Historic Places, Alameda County
• Berkeley Landmarks

Coordinates: 37°52′24.1″N 122°15′10.5″W / 37.873361°N 122.252917°W / 37.873361; -122.252917

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