University of Washington Clarke Hall album, 1920-1921

Clarke Hall was a three-story brick building built on the campus of the University of Washington in 1896. Construction was completed in 1899 by architects Josenhans and Allen. The original cost of the building was $25,000. It was named after Pacific Northwest explorer William Clark, although the spelling of the hall shifted between Clark and Clarke until 1929 when it permanently remained Clark. Clarke Hall served as the women’s dormitory from 1896 until 1936. In 1917, however, it was used by the U.S. Navy as an officers' hospital. Five local fraternity houses were leased as women's dormitories for Clarke Hall residents during that school year. In 1936, Clarke Hall became a student center, occupied by the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) until 1950. It then became the National Reserved Officer Training Corps (NROTC) building.

A nearby hall named after Meriwether Lewis was also built in 1896. Lewis Hall served as the men’s dormitory until 1922 when it became a women's dormitory. Each building accommodated sixty students, and both are on the Washington Heritage Register.