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
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