Kalamazoo College Mess Hall, 1918

Abstract

This photograph most likely shows the mess hall built in 1918 for use by the Student Army Training Corps. According to the December 1918 Kalamazoo College Bulletin, "With scarcely three weeks notice before time for school to open, the War Department stipulated that the colleges furnish mess and quarters for all men entering the S. A. T. C. To meet this new requirement was no small task. But in the characteristic Stetsonian spirit of determination to accomplish, and with but three short weeks of time, the 'Dorm' and the 'Gym' were converted into comfortable barracks, and a modem well built mess hall fully equipped and provisioned, loomed up between Bowen Hall and Ladies' Hall." In this photo, the building still appears to be under construction. A pile of rubble lays next to it and ladders are leaning against the building. The man standing between the two cars with his back to the camera appears to be in military uniform. The other men stand in single file to enter the building. This image was originally published in the 1919 K-zoo yearbook and captioned "First Mess."