South Hall: A Living Piece of Berkeley History
Visit South Hall, UC Berkeley's oldest building, a beautiful example of Second Empire architecture and home to the School of Information.
South Hall, built in 1873, is the oldest building on the UC Berkeley campus and the sole survivor of the university's original six buildings. Designed in the Second Empire style, it's home to the School of Information and a reminder of Berkeley's rich academic past.
A brief summary to South Hall
- Berkeley, California, 94704, US
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Local tips
- Take a stroll around the building to admire the Second Empire architectural details, including the mansard roof and iron cresting.
- Find the small stone bear on the balcony railing above the entrance; it's rumored to be the smallest bear statue on campus.
- Check out the cast iron panels on the north and south facades depicting California's native fruits and grains.
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Getting There
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Walking
South Hall is centrally located on the UC Berkeley campus, southwest of Sather Tower (the Campanile). From Sproul Plaza, walk northeast towards the Campanile, then continue past it, heading towards the Doe Library. South Hall will be on your right, just past the library.
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Public Transport
The Downtown Berkeley BART station is the closest public transport hub. From the station, walk east on Center Street towards the campus. Continue onto Crescent Lawn, then take a slight right onto Grinnell Pathway. Turn left onto Campanile Way, take the stairs, and turn left onto South Hall Road. South Hall will be on your right. AC Transit buses also serve the campus; check the AC Transit website for specific routes and stops.
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Parking
There is no public parking on the central UC Berkeley campus during normal business hours. Several public parking garages are located near the campus, including the Lower Sproul Garage, Lower Hearst Garage, RSF Garage, Underhill Garage and Telegraph-Channing Garage. Hourly rates typically range from $3-5. Street parking may also be available around the campus. Check posted signs for restrictions and time limits.
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