The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Gatke Hall

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Gatke Hall (front facade, ca. 1902), Willamette University

Gatke Hall (three-quarter view, ca. 1938), Willamette University

Gatke Hall (entrance, ca. 2007), Willamette University

Gatke Hall (lantern, ca. 2007), Willamette University

Gatke Hall (interior stairwell, ca. 2007), Willamette University

Institution Name: Willamette University
Original/Historic Place Name: U. S. Postal Office
Location on Campus: 900 State St.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1902	original construction Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: stone

Walls: stone; wood (window frames); metal (lamp standards)

Roof: metal

Function:

1902-1938	other (U. S. Post Office)
1938-1966	academic department building (College of Law)
1966-1986	academic department building (political science)
1986-present (2007)	administration
ca. 1990-present (2007)	other (sculpture studio in basement)

Significance:
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Gatke Hall was originally built in 1902 to serve as the U. S. Post Office for Salem, Oregon. In 1938, it was moved to its present location to serve as the university's College of Law. The building is a handsome example of early twentieth-century Beaux-Arts design in the mode of an Italian palazzo. Visually, the stone exterior is distinctive on a campus where nearly all other buildings are constructed of or veneered in brick.

As the College of Law from ca. 1938 to 1966, it was the seat of learning for many law students who would go on to develop careers as distinguished attorneys and judges. The current name of the building honors Robert Moulton Gatke, a prominent professor of political science and history at Willamette University. The building has some significance in popular culture, since when it was transported to its new location it was deemed by Ripley's Believe It or Not to be heaviest building ever moved.

The building is in good structural condition but has endured some makeshift remodelling on the interior (the inside lobby, for example, has been walled off as a storage area). Marble flooring, elaborate woodwork, and other historic features of the interior, however, remain intact. Since Gatke Hall is not compliant with the ADA requirements, most of the building is not used for purposes requiring public access.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Gatke, Robert Moulton. Chronicles of Willamette, the Pioneer University of the West. Portland, OR: Binfords and Mort, 1943.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections, Facilities Management Office, Unknown