The History of Morrill Hall

Morrill Hall was named for Vermont Senator Justin Smith Morrill, who was the chief sponsor of the 1862 Morrill Act, also known as the Land Grant Act. This important legislation created more than seventy "land grant" colleges, including Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College. The land grant colleges were originally started as agricultural and technical schools, but many of them grew, with additional state aid, into large public universities. Oklahoma A&M College followed this path of development, becoming Oklahoma State University in 1957.

Morrill Hall is currently the home of the OSU English Department. In 2006 the building celebrated its 100th birthday. The occasion was marked by a presentation of historic photos and information.

		Morrill Hall and the Oklahoma Capital Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College President Angelo C. Scott had a dilemma. In his continuing efforts to address the facilities requirements of an expanding college, he recommended the construction of a large new administration and agriculture building in 1902. Other Oklahoma Territorial needs were considered higher priorities that year, but he hoped the following year would provide new monetary opportunities for construction. Uncertainty thirty-five miles away in Guthrie was to create barriers to his plan. (Read More...)
		Morrill Hall Timeline Jan 1906- Cornerstone is laid. Oct 1906- Regents accept building from contractor ($62,800) (Read More...)
		The Burning of Morrill Hall (From the 1915 Redskin, p. 144) The shrill rising scream of the fire whistle rent the warm air of the morning of August the seventh. It was at the hour of two when the citizens of Stillwater sprang from their beds and looked toward the College Campus as the ward was blown. A lurid glow lighted the sky. Heavy clouds of smoke pierced by tongues of flame rolled into the quiet air. It was Morrill Hall! (Read More...)
		Morrill Hall Image Gallery An image gallery of photos courtesy of Special Collections and University Archives, Edmon Low Library. (View the Photos...)

English Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Oklahoma State University
205 Morrill Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-9474
For Information about English Programs: english.information@okstate.edu
Webmaster: engweb@okstate.edu

The History of Morrill Hall

Morrill Hall and the Oklahoma Capital

Morrill Hall Timeline

The Burning of Morrill Hall

Morrill Hall Image Gallery