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Myths and facts about UA's Maricopa Hall with its colorful and, as legend has it, haunting past
The new building was to serve as his private mansion but before he could begin the project, Wilde accepted a position with Boston University. The fact is, according to “A Photographic History of the University of Arizona, 1885-1985,” by Phyllis Ball, at the time there was a definite need for more student housing but in his report to the Regents Wilde wrote that there was, “an impending need for a new dormitory…built for a dormitory and not for a family dwelling house,” as other dormitories were constructed on campus.
It is the oldest building that was meant as a residence hall and it still serves that purpose, he said.As he recalls, the attempt was made to restore it as much as possible in the classical Queen Anne style of the 19As far as its designer, the contract was won by the Phoenix firm of Lescher and Kibbey in 1918. However, there a was a problem related to the construction so the Tucson firm of Lyman and Place became supervising architects, Gilmore said.
It is said the two women took their horse-drawn wagons and bolted out of town and headed east to the open desert.