Alvah Eastman
Alvah Eastman
Exterior of Eastman Hall, 1930
Eastman Hall Swimming Pool, 1930
Basketball game at Eastman Hall, 1964
Highsteppers at Eastman Hall, 1982
Biography
Alvah Eastman was born August 22, 1858, in Lovell Center, ME. He attended school in North Bridgton, ME, and Fryeburg, ME. In 1874, he worked for the Oxford Democrat in Paris Hill, ME, before teaching at a nearby school for a time. In 1877, he worked for the Norway News in Norway, ME. In 1880, Eastman moved to Anoka, MN, where he worked for his uncle at the Herald. In 1883, he bought that newspaper and remained the owner until 1890.
In 1883, Eastman married his wife, Alice, in Anoka. He was elected to the Minnesota State Legislature in 1889 and later served as a presidential elector for Minnesota. From 1890 to 1892, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service. In 1892, he returned to Minnesota and purchased the Daily Journal-Press in St. Cloud. In 1929, the St. Cloud Times acquired the Journal-Press and Eastman served as editor of the combined paper until his death. He was also the government Land Office receiver for Minnesota from 1897 to 1907.
Eastman served as president of the Minnesota Editorial Association and as president of the St. Cloud Park Board. He was also active in Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, Automobile Club, Boy Scouts, and the Red Cross.
Eastman served as resident director for St. Cloud State from 1901 to 1908 and again from 1925 to 1933. He died December 25, 1939, in St. Cloud and is buried in the city's North Star Cemetery.
Eastman Hall (1930)
Construction began in the fall of 1929 with $225,000 provided by the Minnesota state legislature. The building was designed by Minnesota state architect Clarence Johnston. During construction, the cornerstone was laid on February 12, 1930.
Eastman Hall opened in September 1930 and was dedicated during homecoming on October 3, 1930. Eastman Hall then served as home for physical education, including varsity sports. The first basketball game played at Eastman Hall occurred on January 10, 1930 when St. Cloud State defeated St. John’s University 24-23. The last basketball game was played on February 20, 1965. St. Cloud State defeated Moorhead State, 78-73.
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, faculty offices and classrooms until it closed in 2011. Thanks to $18.5 million provided by the Minnesota state legislature, the building is slated for renovations to begin in the fall of 2017 as the new home for Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services.
For more information, see the individual profile for Eastman Hall on the University Archives’ website.