Case Hall (1964)
As the 1960s continued to roll on, the plans to expand campus were coming to fruition. According to a June 3, 1963, press release, the Minnesota state legislature recently approved several new campus buildings at St. Cloud State including a physical education building (Halenbeck Hall), a fine arts building (Performing Arts Center), maintenance and service building, and a new residence hall. The residence hall was the third building in a north side residence hall complex.
Case Hall, 1960s
Funding and Construction
The funding for Case Hall was under a direct $3 million appropriation and $13 million available in a new bonding authority granted to the State College Board. The bonds were to be repaid from room rental income.
Bids for the new 200 bed, four story, fireproof brick and concrete building opened in August 1963. According to an August 9, 1963 press release, winning bids were Wahl Construction Company (general), Johnson Plumbing and Heating (mechanical), and Allcity Electric Company (electrical). The bids totaled $590,010. Case Hall was designed by Jackson-Hahn Associates and the consulting engineers were from Orr-Schelen-Mayeron and Associates.
Construction began in the late summer of 1963 and continued until the summer of 1964. The building shared a common lobby area with Hill Hall and, at the time, was a residence hall for women. Case Hall opened in September 1964 as a residence hall for men.
Naming and Dedication
On November 22, 1963, the State College Board approved the name of the new dormitory – Marie E. Case Hall. Ms. Case served as a faculty member in the women’s physical education program at St. Cloud State from 1927 until her retirement in 1958.
Along with Holes Hall and Halenbeck Hall, Case Hall was dedicated on October 16, 1965.
Renovation
In a renovation begun in January 2011, Case Hall reopened in August 2012. This $12.8 million project also renovated Hill Hall. Updates included wider doorways, larger bathrooms, improved kitchen facilities, a computer tech center, video surveillance, and card access.
The grand reopening of Case and Hill Halls was held on September 18, 2012.
The blueprints for Case Hall, as it was completed in 1964, are available on the University Archives Search portal.
Case Hall construction, 1963
Marie Case in front of Case Hall, December 1963
Sources
- September 13, 1963 press release
- Dedication program for Holes Hall, Halenbeck Hall, and Case Hall, October 16, 1965