Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984, Harstad Hall housed the entire university from 1894 to 1912. It became a residence hall in 1960 and is now the only all-women's quarters on campus, housing 200 to 250 students along with Campus Safety and other university offices on the ground floor.
Harstad Hall was named for Bjug Harstad, PLU founder and president from 1894 to 1895 and 1897 to 1898. Bjug Anderson was born on December 17, 1848 on a farm named Harstad near Valle, Setesdal, Norway. In 1861, his family immigrated to America lead by his eldest brother, Kittel. Bjug was a student at Luther College from 1865-1871. There, he changed his last name to Harstad upon a suggestion from the president of the college. Harstad studied theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Harstad became the founder of seventeen congregations, president of the Minnesota District (1884-92), and founder of three academies before coming to Seattle.
Harstad soon became president of a corporation called "The Pacific Lutheran Associates" which purchased the land where PLU stands today and therefore became the founder and first president of the institution. Harstad has been described as an intellectually able, theologically conservative pastor dedicated to the Norwegian Synod's doctrinal and educational views.
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