KNIGHT HALL
Excavation for the foundation of Knight Hall, a women's dormitory, began in April 1940 and created a sense of excitement on campus because of the discovery of several graves which were apparently part of an early Laramie cemetery. The bodies were reinterred in the Greenhill Cemetery, and construction commenced.
Knight Hall was named after Emma Howell Knight, Samuel Knight's mother and the university's dean of women from 1911-1921. Designed by Wyoming architect William Dubois, this dormitory opened in the spring of 1941.
The building is constructed of stone and has a number of interesting design elements which give a medieval appearance. Examples are the occasional openings in the upper part of the parapet suggesting crenelles; small colored glass lights, some having lead muntins; and a small recessed terra cotta multifold archers decorating the building's upper state. A central courtyard on the south side provides a communal gathering place. While a dormitory, Knight Hall housed 1236 women in 70 rooms and provided a large dining room. This number increased in 1943 when women residents in Hoyt Hall moved to Knight, providing space for men who were in a World War II Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP).
Post-war increases in student population at the university created a number of changes in Knight Hall. In 1946 a cafeteria opened under its roof and served a record 3,000 meals per day. In 1947, the Wyoming State Legislature appropriated money for a 50-room addition. This addition, completed in 1950, is on the west side of the original structure. At one time it provided a cafeteria and music department annex.
With construction of new residence halls east of Fifteenth Street, Knight Hall ceased to be a dormitory. Today it house a public radio station, administrative offices, and many student services.
Centennial Celebration, September 27, 1986
