Cross and Nelson Halls

Located on the Southern Arkansas University campus in Magnolia, Arkansas, Cross Hall and Nelson Hall are fine examples of the success of the New Deal projects of the 1930s. Built at the same time in 1936 by the Public Works Administration, Cross Hall was designed as a boy’s dormitory and Nelson Hall was a girl’s dormitory. Both buildings have been moderately changed since their construction and it does alter the overall integrity of the buildings. Cross and Nelson Halls are both two-story, L-shaped, brick buildings that are Plain-Traditional with Colonial Revival and Collegiate Gothic influences. Both have a flat roof with a parapet made of tar built-up material. However, over time they functioned differently from each other.

The Cross and Nelson Hall Historic District encompasses two historic buildings on the campus of Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas. Cross Hall and Nelson Hall were both built in 1936 by the Public Works Administration (PWA) as dormitories for boys and girls, respectively. They are two-story L-shaped brick buildings with Colonial Revival and Collegiate Gothic stylistic elements. Cross Hall has since been converted into classrooms and professors' offices; Nelson Hall now houses student services and the admissions office.