Morton Hall opened as a womens dormitory on the northern edge of Arizona Normal School’s campus in 1918. Named after Mary Morton Pollock, a faculty member, it contained a dining hall and a music room. The college soon converted the music room into a library for women, which was also named for Mary Morton Pollock. This new library existed separately from the primary library located in Old Main. Since its inception, Morton Hall has held several roles on campus, including housing the U.S. Navy V-12 unit during World War II. During this era, the building included a canteen, barbershop, and a post office.
The architectural design of Morton is similar to many of the buildings on the north campus of Northern Arizona University and shows influences from the Colonial Revival Style. Neo-Romanesque elements, such as its grand entryway with a rounded arch, greet students as they enter the building. The building design includes two symmetrical wings. Today, Morton Hall serves as a dormitory.
Morton is part of a larger complex on the north campus that connects with Campbell Hall and the Housing and Residence Life Offices through a shared wing. At the center of the complex is a shared courtyard.
Mary Morton Pollock
Mary Morton Pollock joined the faculty of the Northern Arizona Normal School in 1907. She taught English and ultimately became the chair of the department. She supported new students arriving in Flagstaff every year with her husband, Thomas, by hosting events at the college and also compiled a loan fund for student education.
Today
Today, Morton Hall is a coed dormitory for students in Forestry and Natural Sciences within the College of the Environment, Forestry and Natural Sciences Residential College and students in the Undergraduate Studies Residential College. Learn more about Morton Hall in the twenty-first century as a university dormitory.
Bibliography
Cline, Platt. Mountain Campus: The Story of Northern Arizona University. Northland Press, 1983.
Drickamer, Lee C and Peter Runge. Northern Arizona University: Buildings as History. University of Arizona Press, 2011.
Authors
Emily Morgan, Louie’s Legacy Intern
Abby, Morgan, and Bri (HUM 195 Fall 2020)