The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959 Page: 415
617 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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B Hall of Texas
When it is remembered that Brackenridge was called a
"Yankee," one feels a softening of the heart strings at his gift, for
a large percentage of the boys in the University in the late 188o's
and early 1890's were sons of Confederate fathers.
Every record of the Hall's history pertaining to Brackenridge's
intent indicated that he wanted no credit nor glory for the build-
ing. In his thinking and words it was to be an institution to
provide shelter and food as inexpensively as could possibly be
furnished and thus "expenses would be materially reduced."'
The "poor boys" theme sustains the B Hall story to the end.
At the Regents' meeting on September 15, 1890, Brackenridge
allowed his name to be given to University Hall, preferring the
use of "B Hall" or "University Hall."" The building was ready
for occupancy on December 1, 18go.o There was no dedicatory
ceremony.
"There were twenty-four rooms, six bathrooms with hot and
cold water. Each room with a bay window-roomy wardrobes--
gas fixtures for lights-Gurney hot water system for heat." The
Regents' minutes record "the rooms were commodious and ele-
gant." On January 21, 1891, the Regents provided ropes for fire
escapes.10 The first meal seems to have been served in the mess
hall on December 2, 189o, or shortly after its completion.".
The cost to equip the mess hall was $8oo, which was paid by
the Regents.'12 Room rent was $2.50 per man per month with two
7Ibid., 261-262; H. Y. Benedict (ed.), A Source Book Relating to the History of
the University of Texas, University of Texas Bulletin No. 1757 .(Austin, 1917), 541.
aSplawn, The University of Texas: Its Origin and Growth to 1928 (typescript,
University of Texas Library), 91; Minutes of the Unversity of Texas Board of
Regents, September 15, 1890o (MSS., Office of the Board of Regents, University of
Texas), A, 262.
9Splawn, The University of Texas: Its Origin and Growth to 1928 (typescript,
University of Texas Library), 93.
loMinutes of the University of Texas Board of Regents, January 21, 1891 (MSS.,
Office of the Board of Regents, University of Texas), A, 273-
LSplawn, The University of Texas: Its Origin and Growth to 1928 (typescript,
University of Texas Library), 93; Nugent E. Brown, B Hall, Texas: Stories of and
about the Famous Dormitory (San Antonio, 1938), 146.
12Splawn, The University of Texas: Its Origin and Growth to 1928 (typescript,
University of Texas Library), 93; Minutes of the University of Texas Board of
Regents, September 15, 1890o (MSS., Office of the Board of Regents, University of
Texas), A, 262.415
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959, periodical, 1959; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101173/m1/502/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.