College Hill Association

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College Hill Association Established in 1992, CHA is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit with a mission of improving the quality of public life in Pullman's College Hill neighborhood.

On this day in 1979, during halftime at the WSU-UCLA Homecoming football game in Martin Stadium, coach Orin Ercel “Babe”...
10/13/2026

On this day in 1979, during halftime at the WSU-UCLA Homecoming football game in Martin Stadium, coach Orin Ercel “Babe” Hollingbery was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame. Bryan Friel, a fine arts student and grandson of longtime Cougar basketball coach Jack Friel, presented a portrait he had painted of Hollingbery to the late coach’s son, Orin E. “Bus” Hollingbery.

Hollingbery remains the longest-serving, and winningest, head football coach in history, coaching for 17 seasons from 1926 to 1942 and compiling 93 victories. Under Hollingbery and assistant coach Buck Bailey, another legendary figure in WSU athletics, the Cougars went undefeated at home from 1926 through 1935. In 1930, WSU went undefeated during the regular season before falling to Alabama, 24-0, in the Rose Bowl. In 1940, Hollingbery was selected to coach the College All-Star team. He was also reportedly featured in Robert Ripley’s “Believe It or Not!” as the only coach of a major college football team who had never attended college.

The Hollingbery family, including Babe’s wife Hazel M. Hollingbery and their children, lived at 1120 NE Indiana Street twice during their years in Pullman. They initially rented the house from 1932 through 1936, moving out after the property changed ownership. On June 17, 1940, the family purchased the house for $5,500. They remained there for the rest of their time in Pullman. 

Following the 1942 season, during World War II, WSU suspended its football program, and Hollingbery moved to Yakima. A contract dispute prevented his return, and the family sold the house in 1946.

In 1963, WSU renamed its indoor athletic facility, constructed in 1929, Hollingbery Fieldhouse in his honor. When the brick Tudor Revival residence was added to the Pullman Register of Historic Places in 2016, it was formally designated as Hollingbery House. The nomination was prepared by Robert Franklin on behalf of the College Hill Association.

Washington State Cougars Hollingbery & Son Hops WSU Libraries Pullman City of Pullman Washington SHPO

All are welcome at our fall walk audit to address upkeep of neighborhood infrastructure such as streets, lighting, sidew...
10/10/2026

All are welcome at our fall walk audit to address upkeep of neighborhood infrastructure such as streets, lighting, sidewalks, crosswalks, and signage.

Your participation and ideas will help make the neighborhood a safer and more enjoyable place for walking and micromobility!

Students can register on GivePulse to receive community engagement hours through the WSU Center for Civic Engagement.

WSU CCE Associated Students of Washington State University


https://wsu.givepulse.com/event/947028-college-hill-walk-audit

On this day in 1912, the cornerstone from the old Episcopal church on State Street, no longer standing, was transferred ...
09/18/2026

On this day in 1912, the cornerstone from the old Episcopal church on State Street, no longer standing, was transferred to a new location on the northeast corner of Ruby and Oak streets on College Hill. A sealed metal box containing records of the congregation’s founding in Pullman was placed beneath the cornerstone. Additional documentation was added, and the box was re-sealed and buried under the new church’s cornerstone. The church was the first building listed on the Pullman Register of Historic Places in 2014, and it is currently the oldest resource listed. The nomination was prepared by Plateau Archaeological Investigations, LLC.

In 1911, the congregation planned to move its building across town in sections and received permission from Pullman City Council to do so. But by 1912 the Pullman Herald reported notable architect William Swain was at work on plans for a new church. Contract for construction of the frame building with a seating capacity of 300 was awarded to W.W. Hunter of Seattle for a price of $4,250, not including stained glass windows. 

Made of Oregon fir, the Carpenter Gothic-style church features opalescent glass windows crafted by Central Door and Lumber company of Portland. The congregation also reused some windows and pews and purchased a 600-pound bell from the Presbyterian church in Colfax. The church served as a hospital during the 1918 influenza epidemic, and as temporary housing for the members of local fraternity that went on to become Delta Upsilon, when their chapter house burned down in 1925. And of course, it was the site of countless worship services and special events like weddings and funerals.

Among those funerals was that of architect William Swain in September 1934. In addition to being responsible for designing some of Pullman’s best turn-of-the-century architecture, including the nearby Greystone church, Swain was a civic leader who served two years as city mayor. Today, St. James stands as a reminder Pullman’s early history and the people and organizations who contributed to its development. 

City of Pullman Washington SHPO WSU Libraries Pullman

Our 2026-2027 activity year is off to a great start with thanks to everyone who attended the CHA annual meeting this wee...
09/18/2026

Our 2026-2027 activity year is off to a great start with thanks to everyone who attended the CHA annual meeting this week. It was great to catch up with what is going on in the neighborhood and to hear residents’ questions and concerns. Special thanks to Crybaby Café for donating some fun raffle prizes.

Pullman CCUCC WSU CCE City of Pullman Associated Students of Washington State University Crybaby Café




Thank you for your support!Pizza Perfection Porch Light Pizza Munchyz Crybaby Café Domino's Pizza The Coug Pullman Dispo...
09/17/2026

Thank you for your support!

Pizza Perfection Porch Light Pizza Munchyz Crybaby Café Domino's Pizza The Coug Pullman Disposal Arbor Financial Group

A friendly reminder: the CHA Annual Public Meeting takes place 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 16.CHA meetings discuss ...
09/14/2026

A friendly reminder: the CHA Annual Public Meeting takes place 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 16.

CHA meetings discuss topics like public safety, community-building, neighborhood aesthetics, and opportunities to improve the community’s quality of life. The format is designed to be flexible and invite questions from the audience.

We hope to see you there!

City of Pullman Pullman Police Department Pullman Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Pullman Association WSU CCE


In late July, CHA funded a planting project along the sidewalk median at the northwest corner of Colorado and Opal stree...
09/09/2026

In late July, CHA funded a planting project along the sidewalk median at the northwest corner of Colorado and Opal streets, next to a WSU-owned parking lot.

Sometimes it takes a village to plant some trees. Our thanks to:

ASWSU for helping to communicate our shared vision of improvement to the adjacent property owner, WSU

City of Pullman Parks & Recreation Department for support with tree selection and planting

Helene’s Property Place for providing water during the critical first days after planting

Volunteers who are caring for the young lilacs while they get established

CHA’s donors for funds used to purchase trees, mulch, and watering cans

Have an idea for the next street tree improvement project? Contact CHA at [email protected].

Associated Students of Washington State University WSU CCE City of Pullman

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the CHA's annual meeting and neighborhood discussion on Wednesday, Septembe...
08/31/2026

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the CHA's annual meeting and neighborhood discussion on Wednesday, September 16. 

WSU students who register, attend, and complete a 5-minute post-meeting survey will receive 1.5 hours of Community Engagement tracked in GivePulse by the WSU Center for Civic Engagement.

Register at https://givepul.se/mc3ejq

Free parking is available, and refreshments will be provided.

We can't wait to see you and get started with another year of improving, preserving, and celebrating College Hill!

City of Pullman WSU CCE Associated Students of Washington State University  Interfraternity Council at Washington State University WSU Multicultural Greek Council WASHINGTON STATE PANHELLENIC

 

On this day in 1923, WSC Vice President Osmar Waller telegrammed Orren Edgar Osburn, offering him an appointment as an i...
08/21/2026

On this day in 1923, WSC Vice President Osmar Waller telegrammed Orren Edgar Osburn, offering him an appointment as an instructor in electrical engineering. The 9 ½-month position came with $2,200 annual compensation. Osburn arrived in Pullman just in time to start the 1923-1924 school year on September 17. He became the department’s fifth faculty member, following Hubert Carpenter, Royal Sloan, Harry Lickey, and Homer Dana. He stayed with the college until his retirement in 1961.

After renting for over a decade, which was common during the Great Depression, Osburn and his spouse Myrtle Blakely Husbands Osburn built a home on Illinois Street in 1935. Plans for the “six room Cape Cod shake house” were drawn by the Osburns themselves, who took inspiration from those published by several home magazines. Local builder Howard Baker, a neighbor on Michigan Street, constructed the home at a cost of approximately $4,000.

Myrtle Osburn engaged in civic activities reflecting the public roles often assumed by faculty spouses during the period. She was an officer in the Pullman Woman’s Club, active in local gardening organizations, and one of the volunteers who helped with the major landscaping project at the WSC president's house. In 1948, Myrtle Osburn served as a founding board member and officer of the WSC staff’s Beaver Creek Camp Association. The Osburns later left the association and purchased a lake property independent of the association.

Following Myrtle Osburn’s death in 1958, Orren Osburn remained in the house until 1987, with help from neighbors and his grandson. He kept an extensive workshop area in the basement and put his electrical skills to use by repairing appliances for the annual rummage sale organized by St. James Episcopal Church. Osburn House was listed on the Pullman Register of Historic Places in 2020, with a nomination prepared by the property owner. Today, the Osburn House stands as a well-preserved example of Cape Cod Revival architecture and as a reminder of the faculty families who helped shape both the college and the Pullman community.

City of Pullman Washington SHPO WSU Libraries Pullman

There are plenty of ways to get involved in CHA. Here are just a few: • Volunteer with the hospitality team to help plan...
07/22/2026

There are plenty of ways to get involved in CHA. Here are just a few: 

• Volunteer with the hospitality team to help plan events like the Annual Neighborhood BBQ. 

• Provide input to – or, better yet, serve on – a board, commission, or committee. 

• Volunteer with the Adopt-a-Block program or serve as a judge for our Yard of the Semester recognition program. 

• Participate in twice-yearly neighborhood walk audits. 

• Provide support for CHA’s efforts with a donation. If you’d like to explore opportunities to become a supporting member, we would love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. 

• The CHA board of directors is elected from its supporting members. The board governs the nonprofit; sets its mission, vision, and strategy; and approves an annual budget. The board also performs behind-the-scenes tasks required to keep things running. New members are elected to the board each September. If you would like to explore the possibility of board service, email us at [email protected]. (You can also learn more about CHA, founded in 1992, by visiting the “About Us” page of our website at collegehillassociation.org.) 

And whether or not you choose to become more involved, please know that we are always listening. Your viewpoints, questions, and suggestions for new projects and programs are always welcome.


Address

PO Box 164
Pullman, WA
99163

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