On February 4, 1929 the Columbia Missourian reported on a meeting of University of Missouri athletic officials to discuss the urgent need for a field house. Rothwell Gymnasium (1906) and McKee Gymnasium (1922) were at capacity and the growing university needed a larger area, especially for basketball. Plans moved quickly and on February 8, 1930, Brewer Fieldhouse was dedicated during a MU vs. KU basketball game attended by 4,500 people. The fieldhouse was named in honor of Chester Brewer, who served at different times as athletic director, and as head coach of football, basketball, and baseball. Brewer is credited with founding the American tradition of Homecoming during the 1911 KU vs. MU football game, when he invited alumni to return.

Brewer Fieldhouse was built next to the earlier Rothwell Gymnasium and its footprint overlaps the site of Rollins Field, the original MU football field. At first the fieldhouse had a dirt floor, surrounded by bleachers and a wooden track, it seated 5,000. Special floors were brought in depending on the type of event. It was the home of Mizzou Basketball from 1930 until 1972 when the Hearnes Center opened. On May 2, 1972 Elton John performed in Brewer Fieldhouse on the First Leg of North America Tour. In 1975 the dirt floor was replaced with a synthetic surface, which was then replaced with sports turf in 1987. The fieldhouse was renovated several times throughout its history, most recently in 2003. In 2023, both Brewer Fieldhouse and Rothwell Gymnasium are part of the vast complex that makes up the Student Recreation Center, which includes several gyms, pools, weight rooms, and a track, among other amenities.

Inspired, by the preservation of a historic fieldhouse as part of a student recreation center, our group, CoMo Preservation, hopes to help homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic buildings is necessary for Columbia’s residents, students, and visitors to achieve a sense of place and, it follows, for our city’s continued economic success. If you want to join us in our mission sign up for our mailing list to receive news and updates.

Sources:

• Columbia Missourian Reporter (February 4, 1929). Need for Field House Subject For Discussion. Columbia, Missouri: Columbia Missourian. Archived at Missouri Digital Heritage. Accessed February 4, 2023.

• MU in Brick and Mortar: Brewer Fieldhouse. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Archives. Accessed February 3, 2023.

Do you have ideas for future topics? Interested in writing an entry or sharing a photo? Did you notice an error? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com or leave a comment below.