Bowles Hall is an all-male residence dormitory at the University of California, Berkeley. The dormitory was the first residence hall on campus, dedicated in 1929, and was California's first state-owned dormitory. It was built in 1928 on a $350,000 grant by Mary McNear Bowles in memory of her husband, Cal alumnus and UC Regent Phillip E. Bowles. The hall displays a unique and formidable appearance of a medieval castle. Although only a dormitory, its male-only tradition, classic facade, partitioned four-man rooms, and community facilities gives it a feeling much closer to that of a social fraternity.

The building

Designed by George William Kelham , the building has eight levels comprising two-room suites and a common room (originally designed to house two, but now housing four). The Julian and Helen Memorial Library was added to the building in 1939 through the gift of Professor James D. Hart, their son, and Mrs. Branstein, their daughter. Bowles Hall also has the distinction of sitting right on top of the Hayward Fault.

In order to avoid having the aging dorm dismantled in the late 1980s, Bowlesmen petitioned and successfully achieved the building's status as a National Register of Historic Places (#89000195, 1989), thereby saving it for future generations.

The hall was also designated a City of Berkeley landmark on October 17, 1988.

Bowles Hall Drinking Song

Traditionally the UC Berkeley Band parades from nearby Memorial Stadium through the campus and streets of Berkeley after a home football game. The band will play in front of Bowles Hall during their tour and plays "By" for the Bowlesmen. The tradition of playing "By" for Bowles Hall is said to have begun back when the entire football team lived there. The band would play for the players as they walked back to their dorm after the game.

We're the men of Bowles Association,
Coming here from over all the nation.
Drinking here together one and all,
We lift our voices loud for Bowles Hall!

(Chorus)

Here's to Bowles Association.
Drink it down and then,
Drink a toast to home sweet home,
Of California men. Rah! Rah! Rah!
Fill your glasses to the brim,
And lift them in the air.
And drink a toast to Bowles Association,
And the Golden Bear.

Men of Bowles are gathered here together,
Toasting everything from girls to weather.
But the very greatest toast of all,
Is the one that we now give to Bowles Hall!

(Chorus)

Movie Appearances

• Boys and Girls - Known as Carmen Hall in the movie.

External Links

• Castle With a Thousand Tales
• National Registry of Historic Places, Alameda County
• Berkeley Landmarks
• More information about the building's famous architect, George W. Kelham