Timeline
The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.
Our acknowledgement of the tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations comes from consultation and guidance by the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and Federal regulations and policies. In this phrasing, we are adhering to tribal sovereignty.
On November 4, 1861, the Territorial University of Washington began classes in a building located on a site now occupied by the Olympic Hotel. The University was on the outskirts of the village of Seattle, which had a population of 250. (The 1860 census identified 302 people in King County.)
In the three decades from the University's founding in 1861, Seattle had grown from a little village of 250 to a city of over 50,000 in 1891. The city had surrounded the ten-acre campus. Existing buildings were overcrowded and poorly maintained. There was a need to relocate the campus to a site that would allow for expansion and, in the opinion of the Regents, to remove it "to a distance from the excitements and temptations incident to city life and its environments."
1937
Hansee Hall is the oldest residence hall at the university. It is named after Martha Lois Hansee. Hansee was Dean of Women and a professor of Greek Language and Literature who taught at the university from 1881 to 1884 and again from 1895 to 1903.
Hansee Hall’s wings are named after Northwest women pioneers–for more information, read our Blog about Hansee Hall:
Eliza Leary, the daughter of the first governor of Washington
Isabella Austin, the first dean of women
Ruth McKee, the first woman member of the Board of Regents
Kathryn Blaine, the first Seattle schoolteacher
1946–1948
Temporary residence halls around Frosh Pond—Rainier, Olympus, Cascade, and Baker— to be replaced by academic buildings.
1953
On West Campus, Terry Hall, named after one of the first original land donors, opens and is the first high-rise residence hall complete with phones in each room. Room and Board in 1953 was $190 per quarter.
1957
Attached to Terry, Lander Hall, named after Seattle pioneer Edward Lander, opens.
1962
McCarty Hall, named after the UW’s 1st woman graduate, Clara McCarty, opens.
1963
Haggett Hall opens as the first coed residence hall and is named after Dean of Liberal Arts Arthur Haggett and Winifred Haggett, Dean of Women.
1965
McMahon Hall, originally intended for graduate students, named after the McMahons, Edward, Professor of History and Teresa, economics and business teacher, opens as the first cluster arrangement. Read our McMahon Hall Blog Post.
1969
The original Mercer Hall opens, named after UW’s first president, Asa Mercer.
1983
Stevens Court Apartments, named after Isaac Stevens, first territorial governor of Washington, opens.
1997
Commodore Duchess Apartments, originally built in 1920s, is purchased by the UW around 1960. HFS maintenance, custodial offices and shop operated out of the basement during the 1970s, until the building was shut down in 1992 due to its poor condition. It was renovated and re-opened as a public-private partnership.
2000
The first Sustainability Policy is established laying the groundwork to incorporate the three pillars of sustainability—environmental, economic, and social considerations.
2001—2002
Radford Court opens, replacing post-World War II era Sandpoint Family Housing, and is named after Admiral Arthur William Radford, Commander of Sand Point naval base.
Ian’s Domain, an internet café, opens in McCarty Hall, and was named after the late Ian McHarg, Assistant Director for Computing Services (prior to the name change to IT).
2002
Husky Den at the HUB (1950) is given a major remodeling and introduction of the food courts concept. McMahon Food Service is remodeled and becomes The 8.
2003
Nordheim Court, honoring Sandra Nordheim, past Director of HFS, opens. Catering moves to the former Haggett kitchen.
2004
Terry Café is remodeled and becomes Eleven 01.
2007
Bay Laurel Catering begins serving UW.
2010
The first food trucks open when the Husky Den is closed during remodeling at the HUB.
2011
Development on West Campus
- Poplar Hall opens
- Cedar Apartments open
2012
- Elm Hall opens
- Cultivate Restaurant opens in Elm Hall
- Alder Hall opens
- District Market, including Husky Grind, opens
- Gender-inclusive Housing is offered for the first time
2013
- The new Mercer Court opens
- Husky Grind Mercer opens
2014
- New Lander Hall opens
- Local Point in Lander Hall opens
2015
- New Terry Hall opens
- Maple Hall opens
2018
The entire north campus boasts a unique relationship between the landscape and the built environment. The buildings, pathways and landscape are carefully integrated to create a Pacific Northwest national park-like environment to the east.
North Campus openings:
Willow Hall
McCarty Hall
Madrona Hall
Center Table
Following the success of Area 01’s Dabble Lab on West Campus, HFS opened a second makerspace on North Campus. The McCarty Innovation and Learning Lab (The MILL), located in McCarty Hall, is home to state-of-the-art equipment used for student projects, workshops, events and more.
2021
Oak Hall is opened to students as the newest residence hall on North Campus. The new building is home to Denny Cafe and the Denny Room and situated next to the replacement of the historic Denny Field.
2023
Dawg Bites opens at the Intramural Activities Building for Huskies to fuel up after a workout.
2024
Black Affinity Housing opens in partnership with the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, Black Student Union and ASUW Black Student Commission. This community in Lander Hall provides a space to promote personal wellness, social connectedness and academic success centering the Black student experience.
2025
Madrona Hall and Willow Hall are renamed Spratlen Hall and Oliver Hall, respectively. Spratlen Hall honors Thaddeus and Lois Price Spratlen, two pioneering Black professors who broke barriers at the UW in business and nursing, and championed diversity and inclusion over decades. Oliver Hall honors Marvin Oliver, a professor of American Indian Studies, master artist, and advocate for Native American culture and community at the UW.
Dawg House Pizza opens in Center Table, Husky Den and Local Point. UW Dining’s in-house pizza program was built with extensive feedback from students and staff and was named by the UW community.
2026
The new Haggett Hall construction project is on schedule and set to open to new Residents in Spring/Summer of 2027 with 800 beds. “The on-campus residential experience is where students develop life skills, build meaningful relationships and find community in ways that help them thrive during college and beyond,” says Josh Gana, assistant vice president for student life and executive director of the UW’s Housing & Food Services division (quoted from the FALL 2026 issue of the Universtiy of Washington Magazine).
Haggett Hall, the UW’s first coed dorm when it opened in 1963. The new hall, the last piece of Housing & Food Services’ 2008 master plan, features a biophilic design, ensuite bathrooms, an open-air entryway with views of Lake Washington and Mount Rainier, and the Husky Haven health and wellness center. It completes the North Campus housing neighborhood and reflects a shift from housing as just a place to eat, sleep and study to one that supports students’ connection and well-being.
News
Read articles about what's new in Housing, Dining, Res Life and Perks & Recreation.
HFS Leadership Team
Meet Executive Director Josh Gana and his senior leadership team.
HFS Calendar
Keep up with important deadlines for payments, contracts and other logistics related to living on campus.