Watching The Stars

McMillin Observatory was Ohio State’s first astronomical observatory building, and it served as an icon of the Mirror Lake area until the 1970s. The current campus observatory is unceremoniously tucked on top of Smith Lab. McMillin Observatory’s site is bordered by Mirror Lake to the north, 12th Avenue to the south, Kuhn House to the east, and Pomerene Hall to the west.

History

McMillin Observatory’s appearance after its additions, with the tower of Orton Hall in the background. (Knowlton Archives)

McMillin Laboratory was conceived as early as 1891, when professor Henry C. Lord presented plans by Frank Packard to the Board of Trustees. The plans were approved and funds were appropriated, but the project was canceled a month later, as “the funds [were] insufficient to justify the expense.” The existing building was designed in 1895 by university architect Joseph N. Bradford. Its construction began that June by Charles H. Woodruff, and the building was completed by the end of 1895. McMillin Observatory was dedicated on June 16, 1896. Upon construction, it was built with a telescope with a 12.5 inch diameter lens, a small laboratory, and a planetarium.

Interior of the dome and telescope, 1897. (Buckeye Stroll)

In 1902, two additions were built that extended northward and westward from the original building. These were designed by Henry Lord. In 1917, a “wireless receiving outfit” was gifted to Ohio State for use at McMillin. There were also two garages that were built onto the east side of the northern addition, one in 1910 at the earliest and the other in 1956, both for the university president’s use.

By 1931, McMillin Observatory’s usefulness had begun to lapse. With the growing city of Columbus causing light pollution and the 40-year-old telescope, Ohio Wesleyan University’s Perkins Observatory became the new venue for astronomy research. McMillin’s staff was reduced to a lone professor and student that year, and Ohio State collaborated with OWU as the latter struggled with funding during the Great Depression.

Closer exterior view of McMillin Observatory. (Historic Campus Map)

McMillin Observatory’s usage mostly ceased in the 1950s, when the Perkins Observatory in Delaware opened with a much larger telescope. Wikipedia’s information about that building contradicts this, but the tone on that article is very odd and much of its information is uncited, so I’m gonna go with Buckeye Stroll’s attribution on this. Classes were still held there until 1962, when the dome shutters became unsafe to use. Its demolition was approved as early as 1963, but the building continued to stand even as Smith Lab’s observatory opened in 1968. McMillin Observatory’s demolition occurred in the summer of 1976. The original telescope still exists at the Ballreich Observatory in Tiffin.

McMillin Observatory was named after Emerson McMillin (1844-1922). Born in Gallia County, he served in the Civil War and quickly rose to prominence after being named the superintendent of a gas works in Ironton that he worked to construct. He eventually became the manager and president of various iron/steel companies in the Ohio River Valley. By 1901, McMillin controlled 40 public utility companies and was president of 60 while heading a banking firm that had $40 million in assets. He donated money to construct the observatory and equip it, but stipulated the university pay an equal amount to improve the surrounding landscape (Mirror Lake).

Sources:

https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/24059

https://library.osu.edu/site/buckeyestroll/

https://knowltondl.osu.edu/Browse/objects/facet/collection_facet/id/18

https://maps.osu.edu/historic/

https://astronomy.osu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-07/emerson_mcmillin_observatory_Dec2020.pdf

Everything Knowlton Isn't

Brown Hall was the antithesis of Knowlton Hall, both stylistically and pedagogically. A Beaux-Arts building that originally taught that very same style of architecture, it is one of Ohio State’s most interesting works of lost architecture. At the time of its demolition, it was located on north campus, bordered by Scott Lab to the north, 18th Avenue Library to the northeast, Bricker Hall to the south, Denney Hall to the east, and 209 W 18th Avenue and Dulles Hall to the west.

Brown Hall Annex History

Brown Hall also had an annex, which both dated before Brown Hall’s construction and was demolished 20 years before Brown was. It was nicknamed “Rinso Hall” by students, after its usage as a laundry. (That would be like naming it “Tide Pod Hall” today.) It was also known as the “Old Power Plant,” since McCracken Power Plant replaced it.

Early appearance of Brown Hall Annex. 1-3 are the Yost & Packard building, while the others are simple auxiliary structures. (Knowlton Archives)

The first portion of the Brown Hall annex was designed in 1892 by Yost & Packard as the “Boiler House.” Its construction began in September 1892, and the boiler house opened on December 31, 1892. It was built as the first part of a larger central power plant design, but the size was cut due to lack of funds, and it was used in tandem with the older power plant just north of University Hall. It was a brick Romanesque Revival design.

Brown Hall Annex with its southern addition. (Knowlton Archives)

When the old power plant was damaged by a fire in 1896, Yost & Packard designed an addition that continued westward and a separate powerhouse to the south, which was completed in September 1896. These buildings were likewise in an industrial interpretation of the Romanesque Revival style. The powerhouse was expanded east in 1909-1910 by architect William C. McCracken.

Sketches (possibly by Joseph N. Bradford) of Brown Hall Annex. (Historic Campus Map)

In 1938, the two separate annex buildings were connected in a project designed by university architect Howard Dwight Smith. The cabinet minutes that John Herrick references say that the two were used as a laundry and garage at this time, and in 1927 the Board of Trustees asked that the engine house area be remodeled for that purpose.

Many changes took place to Brown Hall Annex over its lifetime, mostly involving the demolition of odd temporary buildings on and around its site. John Herrick documents them, but I don’t think the information is interesting/relevant enough to go into that much detail.

Brown Hall Annex’s appearance from the 1950s until its demolition. (Knowlton Archives)

In 1951, plans were approved to renovate Brown Hall Annex for use by the School of Architecture, which removed any remaining traces of its industrial past. These were completed in November 1952, and the annex was used as classroom and drafting space until the end of its life. The Brown Hall Annex was demolished in 1991 for the construction of Mathematics Tower and 209 W 18th Avenue.

Brown Hall History

Principal elevation of Brown Hall. (Historic Campus Map)

Brown Hall was designed in 1902 by university architect Joseph N. Bradford. Its construction began in March 1903, the general contractor being D. W. McGrath, and the building was completed by fall 1903. With a wood frame and brick exterior, Brown Hall was designed in the Beaux-Arts style. The first floor was remodeled in 1912 to provide space for the university architect’s office.

Brown Hall with its 1921 addition. (Knowlton Archives)

In 1921, Bradford designed an addition that extended northward from the western wing of Brown Hall. Its construction began January 1922 and was completed by March 1923. It had a similar design language, but lacked the tile roof and seemed to be in a simpler classical style.

Modern photo of Brown Hall. (Knowlton Archives)

Between 1968 and 1969, the interior was renovated for College of Humanities and College of Arts and Sciences offices. An elevator was added to the building in 1975.

Brown Hall was deconstructed (meaning its building materials were retained and reused) in 2009. Ohio State’s then-project manager cited the reasoning as deferred maintenance, age, safety issues (possibly structural), and to provide more green space for students.

This view of the site looks south, meaning I would be looking at the rear of the building if it stood today. I could not get a view looking north because of construction on Bricker Hall.

Sources:

https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/24059

https://library.osu.edu/site/buckeyestroll/

https://knowltondl.osu.edu/Browse/objects/facet/collection_facet/id/18

https://maps.osu.edu/historic/

https://www.thelantern.com/2008/02/osu-deconstructing-two-halls/

Common People

When Ohio State students hear the suffix “Commons,” they likely think of Kennedy Commons. This slightly dated term for a dining hall also referred to four since-demolished structures that were built as individual dining halls. This article will cover all four of these lost Modern buildings.

Bradford Commons

Bradford Commons, ostensibly after its 1991 renovation. (Historic Campus Map)

Bradford Commons was the only of these four buildings to be located on south campus. It stood on the northern section of the quad between the south campus dorms, and it was bordered by Hale Hall to the north, the remainder of the quad to the south, Baker Hall to the east, and Paterson Hall to the west.

Bradford Commons was designed as “Dining Facility - South” by university architect W. E. Linch in 1962. Its construction began in early January 1963, and the general contractor was Miller-Edwards Co. It opened for Steeb Hall students on March 2, 1964, and it was scheduled to fully open on March 30. With 16,800 square feet of space, it was built as a Mid-Century Modern design.

Bradford Commons’s use as a dining hall ended in June 1973 (only 11 years after construction), but it’s unclear what its subsequent use was at that point. A Facebook post in the group “You Know You Went To Ohio State Back In The Day If…” states it was used for dances, parties, and study tables. However, it eventually became the home of the Black Cultural Center (now the Frank W. Hale Black Cultural Center), and beginning in June 1988, it was renovated to house the Office of Minority Affairs. This resulted in some Postmodern alterations to the exterior. It was renamed “Hale Hall” in 1991, also after Frank Hale. 

Bradford Commons was originally named after Joseph N. Bradford (d. 1944), the first University Architect of Ohio State. He graduated from the university in 1883 and was named a professor in 1885, teaching various classes relating to architecture and photography. He served as university architect from 1911 to 1929, focusing on his photography hobby afterwards. You can read my page about him for more detail.

Bradford Commons was demolished in 2014, ostensibly to extend the green space northward and due to the addition of new campus restaurants such as those at the Union.

North Commons

Historic photo of North Commons. (Historic Campus Map)

North Commons was located where North Rec stands today. At the time of its construction, it was bordered by since-demolished houses to the north, old Scott House to the south, Jones Tower to the east, and Drackett Tower to the west.

North Commons was designed in 1964 by university architect W. E. Linch. Its construction began in November 1964, executed by Baker & Coombs, Inc., and it opened in January 1966. North Commons was built as a dining hall with study areas, and a bookstore opened inside in 1967. With a steel frame and brick exterior, it was another Mid-Century Modern design, and it had 22,750 square feet of space.

Newspaper article honoring William North. (Historic Campus Map)

North Commons was named after William North (1873-1962), not the building’s location. North was the first police officer hired by Ohio State in 1909, and for a few years he was the entire university police force. He apparently got along well with students, simply going by “Bill.” He retired in 1944 but served as a special guard at Ohio Stadium for the remainder of his life.

North Commons was demolished in 2014 for the construction of North Rec.

Raney Commons

Raney Commons, likely taken soon after construction. (Historic Campus Map)

Raney Commons stood slightly west of the present location of Raney House. It was bordered by Taylor Tower to the north, Halloran House to the south, High Street to the east, and Houck House to the west.

Raney Commons was likewise designed by W. E. Linch in 1964, though its construction began later in September 1965 by Garwick & Ross, Inc. It opened for service in January 1967. Like North Commons, it was also a dining hall and study space. At some point this use ceased, and it later became an event space.

Alice Raney, undated. (Buckeye Stroll)

Raney Commons was named after Alice Raney, an Ohio State graduate who enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II. She was the first woman who attended OSU to die in service during WWII, as she became ill while on active duty.

Raney Commons was demolished in 2013 for the construction of Busch House.

Royer Commons/Royer Student Activities Center

Royer Commons shortly before demolition. (Historic Campus Map)

Royer Commons’ site was about where Nosker House stands today. It was bordered by Jones Tower and Houck House to the north, Haverfield House to the south, Barrett House to the east, and old Nosker House to the west.

Royer Commons after its construction explosion. (Historic Campus Map)

Royer Commons was designed by W. E. Linch in 1961, and its construction began January 1962 by Sheaf Construction Co. In December 1962, an explosion caused by a gas leak suspended construction progress, shattered nearby windows, and hospitalized nine construction workers. It opened in September 1963 as a dining hall, study space, and maintenance shop. However, in 1973 the Board of Trustees changed its name to “Royer Student Activities Center.”

Royer Commons was named after Ray Royer, who was Ohio State’s first purchasing agent from 1908-1950.

Royer Commons was demolished in 2014 for the construction of Nosker House.

Sources:

https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/24059

https://library.osu.edu/site/buckeyestroll/

https://knowltondl.osu.edu/Browse/objects/facet/collection_facet/id/18

https://maps.osu.edu/historic/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/179366555464071/posts/2993035800763785/

A Past Age

September 2025.

This quaint, unassuming house overlooking Lincoln Tower Park has a rather unique history. I didn’t even plan to include it in this website’s repertoire at first, so this’ll be a short one. The Women’s Field House is located on west campus, bordered by Lincoln Tower Park on three sides and Lincoln Tower to the west.

History

The Women’s Field House nearing completion c. 1927. (Buckeye Stroll)

Prior to the construction of the Women’s Field House, the original site was occupied by an old barn. Normally this is a mundane predecessor that I wouldn’t bother even mentioning, but said barn was the first ever building constructed on campus. Its foundation stone was retained after demolition and the contractor was allowed to use it at his discretion. Whether the stone was actually included or not is unknown, but I still think this commonly-overlooked house possibly using some of the university’s oldest building materials is an interesting factoid.

The Women’s Field House was designed by university architect Joseph N. Bradford in 1926. Its construction began that October, executed by Clump and Houston Co., and the house was complete by March or April 1927. It has a typical wood frame and exterior on a stone foundation. Buckeye Stroll attributes it to the Tudor Revival style, which seems close enough to me.

Looking northwest at the Women’s Field House, 1935. (Buckeye Stroll)

If you noticed the tower of Ohio Stadium in the above image, you can tell that the Women’s Field House originally had a different site. It was built on the east side of what is now Lincoln Tower Field, northwest of Campbell Hall and southwest of Cunz Hall and about where McCorkle sits today.

1975 photo of the house, better illustrating its site. (Buckeye Stroll)

In September 2002, the Women’s Field House was moved from its original site westward towards Cannon Drive. Buckeye Stroll says this was for the construction of the RPAC, but considering it is too far north, I’m thinking it was for McCorkle’s construction (unless both were done at the same time, which is also possible). Today, it is used for Recreational Sports offices and restrooms for Lincoln Tower Field users, though the top floor sometimes holds events.

Photos

I have been inside this house before, but it was locked when I visited, sadly. Here it is from the Lincoln Tower fields:

Principal facade from the path leading to Lincoln and Morrill:

The siding appears to be actual wood, not that vinyl crap on McMansions today, and the original window frames remain:

I think the windows themselves are replacements, though.

South side with cobblestone chimney:

The back:

Usually that door is unlocked and leads to bathrooms and Rec Sports offices. It was locked when I was there, though.

The Women’s Field House simply doesn’t even appear on Framework 3.0, even though the site it sits on will remain green space like it is today. I didn’t know its future was in question.

Sources:

https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/24059

https://library.osu.edu/site/buckeyestroll/

https://pare.osu.edu/framework

The Twin Towers

September 2025.

I have lost track of the amount of jokes I’ve heard about Lincoln and Morrill Tower. They are easy to hate on because they’re pretty ugly-looking, there are two standing right next to each other (bringing on the 9/11 jokes), and the only dorms on campus where you can share a suite with 15 other students.

Lincoln and Morrill Tower are officially known as such, but have a few alternate names. Architectural drawings were labeled as “Olentangy River Dormitory.” They are also referred to (possibly anachronistically) as the “River Towers,” “River Dorms,” or “West Dorms.” Most students now call them the “Twin Towers.”

I heard anecdotally from my architecture history professor that Ohio State planned to build several more towers like these, and after looking through the University Archives she was correct. I found this odd, because it’s important to note that the towers were built at the same time as the older dorms north of Woodruff (e.g. Archer, Barrett, etc.). At first, I couldn’t see why any more dorms would have been needed on campus, as a dozen new residence halls were opened during the same time period, three of them being high-rise towers as well (Drackett, Jones, and Taylor Towers). Additionally, Archer House was converted from a dormitory to an office building after the towers were built, implying that there was even a surplus of rooms on campus at that point. However, a campus master plan in 1962 called for the construction of six towers in this style, in a new “focal point” along the Olentangy River. This same plan prompted the Drake’s construction, plus other support facilities which remain unbuilt. 

There isn’t a conclusive reason why there aren’t six Morrill Towers on west campus right now. Speculation by the writer of the UA blog article is that the construction and placement of even Lincoln and Morrill was controversial among students and faculty, utilities needed to be relocated during construction, and special provisions like a pump house were required due to the riverfront location. Inland dorms like the north campus ones were more cost-effective.

Lincoln and Morrill Tower are located on west campus, north of the Women’s Field House, south of Ohio Stadium, east of Cannon Drive and the Drake, and west of Lincoln Tower Field and the RPAC. While the true expanse of west campus goes far beyond the Olentangy River, for most students this is the farthest west they go. As in other articles where I’m covering a series of buildings that are effectively identical, I split this article into sections about each individual structure.

Morrill Tower History

Morrill Tower is the northernmost of the two towers. It infamously houses Traditions at Morrill, possibly the worst Traditions location on campus, and a “pizza vending machine” that anecdotally sucks. I only ever ate at Morrill once after a football game my freshman year. My “breakfast of champions” was something like a burger and cereal because they only did to-go post-COVID and didn’t have many options.

Morrill and Lincoln Tower under construction in 1966, taken from Ohio Stadium. (Buckeye Stroll)

The Modernist Morrill Tower was designed in 1964 by Schooley, Cornelius, and Schooley (an earlier name for Schooley Caldwell)  with a reinforced concrete frame clad in brick and concrete. Construction took place between 1965-1967 by George F. Driscoll Co. and was completed in autumn 1967, however students lived on the first ten floors while construction was still taking place in 1966. A strike caused a delay as well, as the towers were planned to be completed in 1966. As it was (and still is) a coeducational dormitory, it was likely the first co-ed dorm on Ohio State campus.

Aerial view of Morrill and Lincoln Tower c. 1977. Lincoln Tower Park had not yet been built, and the Drake and cyclotron were still standing. (Buckeye Stroll)

Morrill Tower was named after Justin Morrill, a Vermont Congressman who first proposed a federal land-grant program for universities in 1859. The idea was that new colleges would open on these lands, teaching subjects like engineering and agriculture while maintaining a low tuition rate through federal support. While the bill was passed in Congress, president James Buchanan vetoed it. Read onto Lincoln Tower for the second half of the saga…

A portrait of Justin Morrill (US Senate)

Morrill Tower, beyond its architecture, is well-known for another reason--it was the dorm where Jeffrey Dahmer lived while he attended Ohio State. Everyone goes bananas when you tell them this, but in reality Dahmer never declared a major and dropped out after one quarter (roughly half a semester), as he was too busy getting drunk to go to class. While his first victim was killed before he went to college, he did not commit a murder on Ohio State campus. If you want to read a more in-depth story about his time on campus, this one is pretty interesting.

Morrill Tower Photos

Morrill rising above Buckeye Grove:

Crown detail:

This is one of the places cops will watch over OSU games  from.

Entrance:

Lincoln Tower History

Lincoln Tower is the southernmost of the two towers. Unlike Morrill Tower, about half the building is used for offices, as it was converted in 1975. 

Looking north at Lincoln and Morrill Tower under construction, 1966. (Buckeye Stroll)

Lincoln Tower was also designed by Schooley, Cornelius, and Schooley, and it was built at the same time. They both rise to 26 stories. In 1975, work began to convert the lower 14 floors to offices for university services, which continued through 1976. This left the top nine floors as dorm rooms.

A room in Lincoln Tower c. 1967. (Buckeye Stroll)

Lincoln Tower was named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. In 1862, Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law, spurring the creation of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1870, which we now know as The Ohio State University. Generally, each state was granted land which became its own major “state” university. In the Big 10 this includes the University of Illinois, Purdue University, Michigan State University, and others. 

On paper the Morrill Act may seem like it was a benefit to the growing United States, and it was, but it came at the cost of reappropriating lands that originally belonged to Native Americans. A lot of colleges now try to make people aware of this through land-use disclaimers, which are good for general awareness, but it seems like a case of “too little, too late.” Of course this was written before SB1, and I think the Gestapo will hunt you down if you put a land-use disclaimer anywhere today.

At least Lincoln Tower’s history is a little more cheerful (no crazy serial killers lived there). In 1970, some mischievous students disassembled the shell of a VW Bus and rebuilt it on the 14th floor:

(University Archives)

While it probably didn’t last very long, everyone found it funny except the resident advisor, who was dumbfounded at the sight of a VW Bus as he opened the door to their suite.

Lincoln Tower Photos

Lincoln from across the nearby fields:

A closer look from the concrete bridge to the entrance:

What a charming little entrance.

Not.

The shaft of the tower rises from a hexagonal podium, which in Morrill’s case has a C-Store and Traditions at Morrill. Lincoln has the E-Sports Arena.

Isn’t this balcony so quaint? I’d take it any day over a nice view of Rome or London. What a gorgeous view of a loading dock and parking lot.

Odd perforations in the panels above the doors:

I also can’t get over the microscopic windows along the tower. Can’t let those kids get too much natural light, it’ll make them too happy!

The interior also retains its original, mid-century modern stairs:

Wood paneling can be nice, but the way this kind of architecture did it is rather garish.

I didn’t venture any further into Lincoln or Morrill than this. The interior layout is just a hexagonal core with an elevator in the middle that the rooms spring off of. Lincoln and Morrill Tower will be demolished in the far future for what appear to be “parking garages with tennis courts.” Good riddance.

Sources:

https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/24059

https://library.osu.edu/site/archives/university-archives/

https://library.osu.edu/site/buckeyestroll/ 

https://www.schooleycaldwell.com/our-history

https://osupublicationarchives.osu.edu/?a=d&d=LTN19670810-01.2.2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Justin_S_Morrill.htm

https://twitter.com/BuckeyeHistory/status/1774851011825344858

https://survivingmorrill.wordpress.com/

https://pare.osu.edu/river-and-midwest