Ever since Brownell Hall opened its doors in 1863 a lot has changed. Traveling back to the year 1922 reveals many unique and interesting discoveries about the country’s past, such as the Teapot Dome Scandal, a new flight record broken by Amelia Earhart when she flew solo just above 14,000 feet, and the publication of T.S. Eliot’s iconic poem The Waste Land. Brownell Talbot also made some life changing decisions for the school and community. In 1922, Brownell Talbot was an all girls school and was called Brownell Hall. Brownell Hall used to be located at 24th Street and Grand Avenue until they moved to the current location at 400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd. The official decision to move to Happy Hollow and the Dundee neighborhood was made in 1922, but the physical move to Happy Hollow wasn’t made until 1923. 

The Happy Hollow Boulevard location used to be a golf course and country club. Many of the members were important figures in Douglas county. One example would be Mr. Irving F. Baxter. He was the former District Attorney for Nebraska and was removed from office in 1905. In every good country club there is a large fancy house that everyone can congregate and socialize in. The house that was used by The Happy Hollow Country Club was known as The Old White House by the students and faculty. The house, whose formal name was The Happy Hollow Club House, was built in 1871 and students inhabited the halls in 1923.

The classes at Brownell Hall included many unique opportunities that current Brownell students would not have the opportunity to participate in. One of the many activities that many students enjoyed partaking in was horseback riding as seen in the image gallery.

After many memories were made at The Old White House it ceased to be a place for students. Now the former students and their children will always have fond memories and photos from their home away from home at Brownell Hall and The Old White House.

Gallery • 5 Photos

"The Old White House"