Warner Gymnasium & Physical Education Building

Building Name

Warner Gymnasium & Physical Education Building

Description

Warner is located within the Olds/Robb Rec/IM complex, and is largely utilized as office and classroom space for the Physical Education Department. Until 2017, Warner was the home of the EMU Gymnastics program, and the Eagles used the facility for practice and meets, including the 2002 and 2008 Michigan Classic. The Eagles took home third place honors both years, recording a team score of 192.650 in 2002, and a 192.625 in 2008. Warner Gymnasium was also the annual home of the Eagle Invitational, which the Eagles have won every year since 2006.

Namesake Biography

Joseph E. Warner was born March 14, 1870, to Edwin C. and Martha J. Warner, on Harriet Street in Ypsilanti (near the modern intersection of Hawkins and Harriet streets.) Warner attended the country school, and Normal College. On October 18, 1893, he married Lottie Al Ferguson in Alma, Michigan, and had four children. Warner was always very active in civic and public affairs. At one time, he was the president of the County Unit of Michigan Farm Institute. During his lifetime he also served as the director of Chamber of Commerce, Township Clerk and Township Treasurer. Joe Warner was recognized by State of Michigan as one of the early leaders for good roads. In the spring of 1917, he campaigned throughout the state for the first $50 million State Bond Issue for the building of good gravel roads. He was a member of the first County Road Commission at the time the Whitmore Lake Bridge was being built. In those days he was known in Michigan as Good Roads Joe. As a member of the state Legislature, he introduced the first gas tax measure, the present gas tax is known as the Warner Gas Tax. Warner was elected to the Legislature in the fall election of 1920 from the First District of Washtenaw County. With the exception of six years in the 1930s, during which time he served as Director of the Motor Vehicle Division of the Public Utilities, he served as a Representative in the Legislature for 35 years. As a Senator, Warner spent many years as Chairman of the House of Representative Ways and Means Committee where all state appropriations are approved. Mr. Warner served 30 years as a state representative, and at the time of his death he had been the longest serving member of the Michigan Legislature. In 1954, he was given an honorary degree of L.L.D. by Michigan Normal College, and again by Michigan State University in 1955. Joseph E. Warner died April 16, 1956.

Building Namesake

Joseph E. Warner, State Respresentative who was instrumental in getting the appropriation for Bowen

Year Constructed

1963

Date Dedicated

29 September 1964

Building Functions

Gyms, Classrooms, Offices, Speical Purpose Rooms and Swimming Pool

Architect

Swanson and Associates, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Original Cost

$1,348,000

Architectural Style

International

Square Footage

91,324

Rights

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the owner, Eastern Michigan University Archives (lib_archives@emich.edu).