herr2ck: 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.