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/
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