National Register of Historic Places

Bowles Hall

Berkeley, Alameda County, California
Listed
March 16, 1989
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
89000195

About this property

Bowles Hall is a coed residential college at the University of California, Berkeley, known for its unique traditions, parties, and camaraderie. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Location

Berkeley, Alameda County, California
37.87308, -122.25294

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTARCHITECTUREEDUCATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Girton Hall
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0.1 mi
Hearst Greek Theatre
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0.1 mi
Cowell Memorial Hospital
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California Memorial Stadium
Civil War
0.1 mi
Senior Hall
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0.2 mi

Questions about this property

When was Bowles Hall listed on the National Register?

Bowles Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 16, 1989.

What type of historic resource is Bowles Hall?

Bowles Hall is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Bowles Hall?

The period of significance for Bowles Hall is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Bowles Hall?

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