West Hall

User Note: Follow the sidewalk from North Hall until you see the small structure in the woods, which was positioned behind this building. The area in front of this structure is the former location of West Hall.

After the first decade of campus expansion, the Western State Normal School began planning for the Science Building. This building was the first structure that was not able to be seen from Davis Field, as it was situated on the west side of Prospect Hill. Built by E.W. Arnold, the three-story building was designated as the home for the natural sciences department and included spaces for classrooms, lecture rooms, and laboratories. Once opened, it was utilized by the departments of psychology, biology, chemistry, botany, and physics, as well as a greenhouse located on the southern end for use by the various programs.

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In 1913, $75,000 was allocated for a new science building, with an additional $10,000 being set aside for equipment to be used for the various departments. The contract was awarded to E.W. Arnold and was completed in 1915. Located on the west side of the hilltop, this building formed the central quad, along with North Hall and the Administration Building.

The exterior of the building mimicked the design of the Administration Building and gymnasium addition, featuring classically detailed brickwork with a terracotta portico and arched windows over the main entrance. Once officially opened, the building included spaces for classrooms, lecture rooms, and laboratories that were used by the departments of psychology, biology, chemistry, botany, and physics. There was also a greenhouse located on the southern side of the building that was used by the various departments.

This building also became the temporary home for the school’s Health Service Center, Department of Business Information Systems, and Speech Correction Clinic before they were moved over to the Health and Personnel Building. As new structures were built on the expanding West Campus, the Science Building was renamed West Hall and became the temporary home for many different departments. West Hall soon fell into disrepair and was ultimately demolished in 2013.

Knauss, James O. History of Western State Teachers College 1904-1929. Kalamazoo, MI: Western State Teachers College, 1929. 

Carlson, Sharon; Glatz, Jason, WMU Facilities Management. “WMU Campus History” [storymap], https://campus-history.library.wmich.edu/index.html. (Accessed February 17, 2022) 

Massie, Larry B. Brown and Golden Memories: Western Michigan University's First Century. Kalamazoo, MI: Western Michigan University, 2003. 

“Professor Saves Furniture of University's Past.” Western Herald. March 20, 1997.