Headley Hall (1963)
Headley Hall opened in April 1963 to serve as the new home for the departments of Industrial Arts and Art.
Headley Hall, 1963
Funding and Construction
With an appropriation of $950,000 approved by the state legislature in 1959, planning the 34,500 square foot building began in the spring of 1961. According to an April 21, 1961, press release, the first floor was to contain “a woodworking shop, graphic arts room, bookstore, electricity, electronics and power shop, ham radio facilities, two metal shops, lobby and display area, two lecture rooms, finishing room, storage room, research laboratory, and eight offices.”
The second-floor plans were for “two pre-engineering drawing rooms, two conference rooms, a lobby and display area, a large lecture hall and a small lecture room, an art studio, an art education room, ceramics and sculpture room, a gallery and gallery storage room, nine offices, and general office, and a handicrafts and crafts room joined by a machine work room.”
Preparations for the property began in the summer of 1961. According to a May 17, 1961, press release, 20 homes were sold by auction, which included removal from the property, demolition of the foundation, filling in of the basement, and clearing of site debris.
Designed by Frank Jackson and Associates, contractors to construct Headley Hall were hired in October 1961. According to a November 1, 1961, press release, Wahl Construction Company won the bid for general contractor, Knapp Plumbing and Heating for the mechanical work, and Granite City Electrical Company for the electrical. The bids amounted to $717,527, less than the appropriation. Construction began shortly afterwards and continued through 1962.
Construction, April 1962
Naming
Officially named by the state college board on August 17, 1962, as the “John W. Headley Industry and Art” building, it honored John Headley who served as St. Cloud State president from 1947 through the end of 1951. Headley left St. Cloud State to become president at South Dakota State University. He died in a 1957 hunting accident.
Opening
Headley Hall opened in April 1963. According to an April 11, 1963, Chronicle article, the building was only partially open – the Department of Art began using their portion of the building while Industrial Arts was to move in shortly as Headley Hall was finished. For Art, Headley Hall was significant. It finally provided appropriate classroom and display space for students to learn and exhibit creative works.
Dedication
Headley Hall, along with Garvey Commons and Hill Hall, was officially dedicated during homecoming week on October 12, 1963.
The blueprints for Headley Hall as completed in 1963, are available on the University Archives’ Search portal.
Architect's rendering, June 1961
Headley Hall, 1980s
John Headley, 1947-1951