Community Hall History

Originally built as a residence hall for women in 1920, Community Hall is located in the Duncan Dunn and Wilmer-Davis residential complex at the northwest edge of the historic campus core. Like the other buildings within this complex, Community continues to serve its residential purpose. Community Hall was recently renovated to be combined with Duncan Dunn Residence Hall to create one living community.

It was constructed under the Self-Amortization Plan that was first developed at WSU and later became the adopted method for financing the construction of university structures throughout the nation. The Self-Amortization Plan was the brainchild of Regent McCroskey, Bursar Kruegal and President Holland. The original group of 25 stockholders consisted of university and business people from Pullman who formed the Community Building Corporation. Each stockholder held two shares of $100 each. The corporation sold bonds for the construction of Community Hall. The bonds were self-retiring from dorm rental and dining hall income. This spirit of "town and gown" cooperation was further demonstrated by the construction of Stimson Hall, Commons, Duncan Dunn and Waller under the same funding plan.

This four-story building of classical proportions is sited with the main entrance facing to the south having access onto College Avenue. The building mass is symmetrically balanced around the central front portico, which is approached by a relatively long flight of stairs opening onto an entry terrace. A cupola over the entrance accents the symmetry of the structure. Facade detailing in the classical mode with brick, wood and courses of ashlar set the precedent for the later structures in the residential complex: Duncan Dunn and Wilmer-Davis.

Today, the Duncan Dunn and Community living complex is now a co-ed hall. This complex is also one of the most secure living areas on campus using Cougar Card access to each floor, bathroom, and bedroom.

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