History of the School of Law
John K. Hulston Hall
As America expanded westward, the need for institutionalized schooling for lawyers became apparent. The traditional, early means of self-study and apprenticeship were no longer sufficient to adequately train aspiring lawyers for admission to the bar.
In 1867, MU Curators voted to establish a Law Department. The Department formally opened in October, 1872. Judge Bliss, a Missouri Supreme Court justice, was appointed as dean. Twenty-five law students started classes in Academic Hall that year. In order to enter the program, students were to be college graduates, or at least nineteen years old and of sound moral character. The School has always welcomed women, but few enrolled until the 1960s. However, a female student graduated first in her class as early as 1899.
After Academic Hall was destroyed by fire in 1892, plans for a law building went into the works. The “Law Barn,” as it was called, was completed in 1893. Due to increasing success of the School, it quickly outgrew these facilities. Today, it houses the Sociology Department. A new building, Tate Hall was completed in 1927 to accommodate the growth. It remained the School's home for six decades. In 1988, John K. Hulston Hall was constructed and the school became one of the most state-of-the-art law schools in the nation.
Myths, Legends and Traditions
MU legend says that when you walk across the bridge in Peace Park with your sweetheart, you are destined to fall in love and get married.
