Hilltopper Heritage

Building History - Frisbie Hall

Namesake - Frisbie Hall was named after Henry H. Cherry’s youngest daughter, Josephine Frisbie Cherry born August 28, 1900. She earned a degree in physical-education from Sargent University in Boston, but after moving to Tulsa for her husband’s job, “she simply switched by teaching women via newspaper how to keep their figures and looks.” ["Why Grow Old? Writer her Own Best Ad," May 20, 1951] She continued writing until her death. She received as many as 2 million letters a year from her fans. She was a physical education director at Western for 3 ½ years before moving to Tulsa. She died in 1983 at the age of 84.

History - Frisbie Hall was a building used by the Southern Normal School & Business College as a women's dormitory. The three story brick building was built behind the original Vanmeter Hall on Center Street. The 48 rooms were carpeted and the building was heated by electricity and gas. Rooms rented for $3.00 to $4.50 per month.

Frisbie Hall became the Earle Hotel after Western Kentucky State Normal School moved to the top of the hill.

Additions -

Sources - UA96 Southern Normal School & Business College Records

Course Catalog description of building and rates

Edmondson County News, 1928 June 15, ad for Frisbie Hall, private rooming house

Park City Daily News, 1961 December 5

Southern Educator, 1906 Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 2-3

Southern Normal School / BG Business College Circular, Summer/Fall 1904

UA1G - Rates and description

Researched and written by Jenna Hawkins, 2008.