Dakota Hall had its beginnings at the request of the Federal Government and with the consent of the North Dakota State Council of Defense the Board of Regents approved the erection of an emergency building for the use of soldiers in training under government direction. It was constructed in 9 weeks in 1918. It was a frame building covering approximately one-half acres of ground, and with a total floor area of 31,538 square feet. It consisted of sleeping quarters, mess hall, kitchen, offices and toilet. The sleeping quarters were two stories in height; the other portions were one story. It was provided with steam heat, electric lights, showers, etc. and would accommodate 400 men. The construction work was done largely by the soldiers training in the carpentry group (Beacon Across the Prairie, p.94 and College and State, January-February, 1919, p. 8).
After the First World War, NDAC President Coulter said of the barracks: "From the time until the war period there were no dormitory facilities. The barracks, built during the war, offered room facilities after the war for boys. The increase in the number of students following the war again required more classrooms and laboratories. When I came here a year ago less than 40 boys were able to secure rooms. The name of the barracks is gradually being changed to Industrial Hall. One part is used for a livestock judging pavilion; another for the stallion registration board; another for woodshops; another for commercial subjects; and finally, offices have been provided for the college physician, federal vocational bureau, the Spectrum and the Agassiz." ("State Departments Crowding A.C. Students Off Campus, Says Coulter," Fargo Forum, 12/9/1922, p.11)
As of the late 1930s Dakota Hall served as a dormitory and headquarters facilities for the Farm Folk School. It was now configured with 26 rooms with hardwood floors, steam heat and electric lights that each accommodate 2 students in each room, a large assembly hall, a large classroom, drafting room. On the main floor there was a carpenter shop and a gas engine lab. In the wing a stockjudging pavilion and an abattoir for demo and practice in the handling and curing of meats (NDAC Catalog, 1940-1941, p. 20).
During November 1942, the hall reverted to its former military use a when the army took it over. It was remodeled and occupied by 300 officer candidates for two-week periods (The Spectrum, December 18, 1942, p. 2). During the 1946-47 school year a record 2,300 students enrolled and it was necessary to house women home economic students in the structure (Spectrum, April 3, 1963, p. 1).
Among the highlights of the Alumni Association's activities at the 1957 Homecoming was the dedication of Finnegan Residence Hall. This housing unit is a remodeled portion of Dakota Hall yhat was used to house NDSC athletes. It was dedicated to Charles Casey Finnegan who was Director of Athletics and Physical Education at NDSC from 1928 until 1955 (Spectrum, Oct.18, 1957, p. 1).
In
1963, Dakota Hall was demolished to make way for a multi-million dollar addition
to Ladd Hall, the chemistry building (Fargo Forum, April 2, 1963, p.
3). The building that now stands on the site of Dakota Hall is Dunbar Laboratories.
   |
univarchives@www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu
University Archives, 701-231-8914 Published by the University Archives, NDSU Last Updated: 8/27/04 |