Fort Hays State University; University Archives; Buildings; Sheridan Hall; | Buildings & Facilities

Fort Hays was the only state school to receive a legislative appropriation for a building in 1915. Nearly doubling the classroom space on campus, Sheridan Coliseum was completed in 1917, but without a ceiling. The building included a gymnasium on the ground floor, with seating extending around the arena to the second story of the building. A small swimming pool was also located in the southwest corner of the building on the basement level. Funds were appropriated in 1917 to equip the building and to build a steam tunnel to bring heat to the building. Final completion of Sheridan Coliseum occurred in 1922 when the legislature appropriated funds to put in a ceiling. Prior to that time, the ceiling consisted of some 3,000 yards of muslin that the students in the Domestic Arts classes had sewn together for a temporary ceiling in 1919.

Planning for a complete renovation of Sheridan Coliseum began under President Tomanek. However, before the state would provide the funds needed to complete the renovation, private funds had to be raised for the required match, and this had not been completed. Also, the bids for the renovation were $2.5M high for Phase II. President Hammond set to work to complete the renovation. A gift of $750,000 by Ross and Marianna Beach and Bob and Pat Schmidt provided the necessary private funds for the completion of the building. A state-of-the-art performing arts center was included and was named the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. The 1,114-seat center ensured that Fort Hays State would continue to be the cultural center of western Kansas. The renovation of Sheridan Hall was completed in 1991 at a cost of over $9M.

The building is named in honor of General Philip Sheridan who was stationed at the Fort Hays military post in the 1800s. This was in accordance with the custom of university president, President Lewis, in naming buildings for military figures associated with western history.

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Sheridan Coliseum: Case statement, draft, for the Fort Hays State University Sheridan Coliseum Campaign

Fort Hays State University

Showcasing the history of Sheridan Coliseum, this paper makes a statement for why Sheridan Coliseum is to be renovated.
Sheridan Coliseum description

Fort Hays State University

A typed half sheet of a description of the building: "Fort Hays Kansas State College at Hays SHERIDAN COLISEUM: This all-purpose building, built in 1915, houses a gymnasium, dressing rooms and small swimming pool; the administrative offices of the president, the dean, the registrar and business manager; the division of music; the division of health, physical education and recreation, and the campus radio station. Named for Civil War General Philip Sheridan who was once stationed at Fort Hays."
Sheridan Coliseum: Events held in Sheridan Coliseum (1917-[1977])

Fort Hays State University

Listing of events that were held in the coliseum from 1917 through 1977.
Sheridan Coliseum: Paper, Sheridan Coliseum history

Fort Hays State University

A paper about the history of Sheridan Coliseum which opened as a showplace for conventions, festivals and stock shows.
Sheridan Coliseum: Script, Sheridan Coliseum Multi Media Show

Fort Hays State University

A script for a video of the history of Sheridan Coliseum that was most likely shown to donors of the proposed performing arts center.
Sheridan Hall: Room Plaque Directory

Fort Hays State University

Listing of rooms that have plaques with the names of donors on the entrance doors.
Sheridan Hall: Pamphlet, History of Sheridan Hall written by Bob Lowen, January 1993

Bob Lowen

A pamphlet that contains the history of Sheridan Coliseum and the plans to renovate it into a Performing Arts Center and offices with the new names of Sheridan Hall and the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Includes text and photos.
Sheridan Hall: Brochure, Gala Weekend

Fort Hays State University

Schedule of events for the weekend of celebrating the rededication of Sheridan Hall.
Sheridan Hall: Invitation, Rededication of Sheridan Hall

Fort Hays State University

Envelope and invitation to the rededication of Sheridan Hall on Saturday, February 9, 1991.
Sheridan Hall: Pamphlet, Rededication of Sheridan Hall

Fort Hays State University

This pamphlet contains the program for the rededication. It also has the lists of the rededication committee members and the donors.
Sheridan Hall: Pamphlet, History of Sheridan Hall written by Bob Lowen, January 1991

Bob Lowen

A pamphlet that contains the history of Sheridan Coliseum and the plans to renovate it into a Performing Arts Center and offices with the new names of Sheridan Hall and the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Includes text and photos.
Sheridan Coliseum: Outline, Sheridan Coliseum Brief

Fort Hays State University

An outline of the history, the construction time table, the funding, the facilities and the planned opening ceremonies for the newly renovated Sheridan Hall.
Sheridan Hall: Newspaper, Sheridan - renovation to be done before February 1991

Rebecca Oborny

Article from "The University Leader" with details on the renovation of the old coliseum into a performing arts center and administrative offices.
Sheridan Coliseum: Newspaper, Building Better Second Time Around; Rogers, Wilson recall Sheridan's varied past;

Alan Wilds

Two articles from the August 19, 1990 issue of the Hays Daily News. The first article features interviews with Eric King, director of facilities planning and Larry Miller, vice president for institutional advancement and head of the Sheridan dedication committee. The second article features interviews about the history of Sheridan Coliseum with Katherine Rogers, retired Fort Hays State University communication professor, and Erna Wilson, widow of Paul "Busch" Gross, a coach for the Tigers basketball team.
Sheridan Coliseum: Letter, draft, from President Hammond

Edward Hammond

Letter of invitation to attend the signing of House Bill 2040 in the Memorial Union. Passed in 1989, it provided funding for completion of the Sheridan Coliseum Project two years ahead of schedule.
Sheridan Coliseum: Letter, to Ronald Pflughoft, from Clarita and Don Crawford, September 30, 1986

Clarita Crawford and Don Crawford

Descendants of John Schlicher supported the Sheridan Coliseum renovation campaign by sponsoring a seat in the new performing arts center in his memory. John Schlicher was the State Representative from Sheridan County who helped approve funds for the new coliseum in 1915. Clarita and Don also tell the story of how the coliseum recived its name, according to family history. When it was proposed that the name of the coliseum be named for him, Mr. Schlicher refused and suggested that it be named after General Philip Sheridan, the Civil War officer for whom the county he represented was named.
Sheridan Coliseum: Kansas Senate Bill no. 522

Kansas State Legislature

The official documentation of the Senate Bill No. 522 drafted by the Committee on Ways and Means that appropriates $3,912,000 to renovate Sheridan Coliseum.
Sheridan Coliseum: Newsletter, Memories of Sheridan

Thaine Clark

A short article for the "Retired Faculty Newsletter" written by Professor Thaine Clark in which he reminisced about Sheridan Coliseum.
Sheridan Coliseum: Letter, from Dale Johansen, to the Joint Committee on State Building Construction

Dale Johansen

Information on Sheridan Coliseum, including the architects, funding proposals, budget, 3 year building plan, contingency plans, square footage, seating capacity, and proposed timetable.
Sheridan Hall Program Statement, to President Tomanek and Ron Pflughoft, from Dale Johansen

Dale Johansen

Program of the Sheridan Coliseum renovation project which includes descriptions about the space requirements, schematic plans, room/space details, structural condition, a geological investigation report by Barnett, Stuart and Dow, Inc., and utilities and site information.
Sheridan Coliseum: Letter, to various people, from Nita M. Landrum

Nita M. Landrum

In a letter appealing for donations for the Sheridan Coliseum Campaign, Nita, a retired Alumni Association director, writes about her support for the project and why it is so important to her.
Sheridan Coliseum: Brochure, Suggestions for volunteer committeemen

Fort Hays State University

Suggestions about how to support the Sheridan Coliseum Campaign by asking for gifts from potential donors.
Sheridan Coliseum: Plan of organization of the Sheridan Coliseum Campaign

Fort Hays State University

Diagram of the chairmans for the various divisions of fund raising and a three page explaination of the duties of the chairmen.
Sheridan Coliseum: Paper, How Sheridan Coliseum Got Its Name, by Nancy Ellen Miller

Nancy Ellen Miller

A paper for a feature writing course at Fort Hays State College written by Nancy Ellen Miller in the Fall of 1947. The story is about John W. Schlicher, a state representative form Sheridan County in Kansas in 1911-1913, who spearheaded a bill that would provide funding for the building of a coliseum. Note that this claims the building was named in honor of Sheridan County, the home of John Schlicher, which he requested when it was suggested that the building be named after him.
Sheridan Coliseum: Newspaper, Sod Broken for Coliseum Twenty-five Years Ago

State College Leader Staff

Article that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the ground breaking for the new coliseum. In 1941, the Administration offices, the Extension divison, the printing office, the health department, and the music department were located in this building. It also states that the building was named in honor of General [Philip] Sheridan, commandant at the old Fort Hays in the early days.