Haskell Indian Nations University

Haskell Indian Nations University’s first three buildings were, from left to right, Osceola, Sequoyah, and Keokuk. Osceola Hall was named for Osceola, whose name means Rising Sun, who was born in 1804 in Creek Territory in Alabama; built in 1884, it first served as the little boys’ dormitory and later housed all male students, was razed in 1960, and was replaced by the current Osceola-Keokuk Hall in 1962. Sequoyah Hall was named for Sequoyah of the Cherokee, who during the War of 1812 saw other soldiers write and receive letters from home and was inspired to study the Cherokee language and develop the Cherokee alphabet over 12 years so his people could have a written language; the building was constructed in 1884 and served as an academic building with classrooms, a library, and study rooms, and the old structure was torn down in 1960 for construction of the new Sequoyah Hall in 1961. Keokuk Hall was named for Keokuk of the Sac and Fox, who was born in 1780 in Illinois, whose name means Watchful Fox, and who became a chief through skillful leadership and character and was also a brilliant orator; built in 1884, it originally served as the women’s dormitory but later became a boys’ dormitory after Winona Hall was built, and it was razed in 1960. A panorama taken in 1908 shows old Curtis Hall on the far left and Keokuk Hall across the road at what is now Barker Avenue.

Lawrence, Kansas · United States