herr2ck: Richardsonian

September 2025.

Orton Hall is my favorite building on Ohio State’s campus. It is a gorgeous Richardsonian Romanesque library and museum, beautifully executed and gloriously original (for the most part). The amount of detail this work of architecture contains simply cannot be replicated today. Expect a boatload of pictures showing every ornamental detail, and I found just about as many historic photos to match.

Orton Hall is located on the south side of the Oval. It is bordered by the green space of the Oval to the north, the South Oval to the south, Mendenhall Laboratory to the east, and the Faculty Club to the west.

History

Orton Hall under construction, 1891-1893. (Buckeye Stroll)

Orton Hall was designed in 1891 by Joseph W. Yost, partner of the Columbus architecture firm Yost & Packard, in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This building is a fantastic example of the style with its exaggerated voussoirs, the rough materiality of rusticated stone, and imposing massing. Its exterior is stone, with a steel frame and concrete and masonry used within. It was built by J. W. McClain starting in 1891 and was first occupied before the beginning of the 1893 school year.

Orton Hall in 1904. (University Archives)

Before I continue with the history, I want to emphasize the sheer amount of detail that was put into this building by the architect. The stone used on the exterior includes all 40 types native to Ohio, arranged in the chronological order they appear below the surface, meant to represent the Paleozoic Era. The limestone front steps feature the fossils of marine life. The grotesques atop the bell tower are modeled after prehistoric animals, rather than mythological creatures as seen on a Gothic cathedral like Notre-Dame de Paris. They quite literally “do not build them like this anymore.”

Interior of Orton Hall c. 1895. (Buckeye Stroll)

Orton Hall was originally built to serve two purposes--to house the Department of Geology and the university library. The Orton Memorial Library operated from 1893 to 1912, when Thompson Library was opened. The Department of Geology has since moved to the adjacent Mendenhall Laboratory, but Orton Hall retains its original use in two ways. It still houses a library, the smaller Geology Library. The building also serves as the Orton Geological Museum.

A view of Orton Hall, taken from the roof of University Hall in 1900. The neighboring Botanical Hall can be seen (now demolished). (University Archives)

Early in its history, Orton Hall had two smaller structures next to it that were used for certain university activities. First, a small shed was built to house a kiln for the new Department of Ceramics, which the Ohio legislature required the university to establish in 1894. It was built that summer. The Department of Ceramics moved to Lord Hall after it was built in 1905, and the kiln was demolished between 1906 and 1907. Then, in 1909, an old pump previously installed in the old power plant (Brown Hall Annex, not McCracken) was moved to Orton’s west side while the Ohio Union (now Hale Hall) was being built. It operated from 1909-1912, until new hot water mains were added, and the shed housing the pump was demolished thereafter.

The Orton Hall kiln in 1895. (University Archives)

One of Orton Hall’s most iconic features is its bell tower, which features twelve bells tuned in D-flat. Most students know that they will chime every quarter hour, but the bells can be manually operated and played. I happened to be hammocking on Mirror Lake one sunny spring day and the bells chimed Carmen Ohio while I studied. They were a gift given by the classes of 1906-1911 and 1913-1914. The class of 1912 chose to stick out and donated a mantlepiece to the library instead. The bells were manufactured by McShane Co. out of copper and tin at a cost of $8000 and were delivered on February 11, 1915.

The bells as seen before their installation, 1915. (University Archives)

An automatic striker was gifted by the classes of 1919 and 1920, which allowed the bells to chime the hour, and by 1949 the bells rang as they do now every quarter hour with the installation of an electric clock. However, they still needed to be played by hand until their renovation in 1985. The class of 1978 helped finance a $28,000 repair to the bells, and a year later the electrical system was replaced and a keyboard was installed. In 2003, two new bells were installed at a cost of $12,000. These were tuned to G-sharp and A-flat, and granted more flexibility in the repertoire of songs. It seems like the bells were heard more often in the past, as carols were played during the holiday season and music students were allowed to be “Chimes Masters.”

The bell tower interior in 1985. (University Archives)

While John Herrick does not mention any renovations having taken place, certain changes were made to the building over its lifespan. A second level of stacks were added to the library section in 1896 due to a lack of space, which still exist today. The below photograph depicts this modification, and it appears very similar today. Compare this view to the c. 1895 picture of the library seen earlier in the article.

The Orton Library, 1907. (CML)

Additionally, the museum’s height was cut in half sometime during the 1970s or 1980s, probably to add more space for the library. I had a tour of the museum for a class and our guide mentioned this, however the difference is very apparent when comparing it to old photos. I despise this renovation and consider it a gross disservice to Orton Hall’s beautiful architecture, as it turned the monumental double-height museum area into a stuffy broom closet. It may have occurred in 1971, when the N. S. Conway mastodon skeleton was removed.

The Orton Geological Museum as it appeared in 1907. (CML)

Orton Hall is named after Edward Orton Sr., the first president of The Ohio State University from 1873-1881. Before his inauguration, he was the first geology professor, and after his term he was the state geologist of Ohio from 1882-1889. His office was located inside the building, and his son Edward Orton Jr. contributed to the library and museum’s collection. Orton Hall is also known as the “Geological Building” and “The Museum” (before Sullivant Hall was built).

A portrait of Edward Orton Sr., c. 1892. (CML)

Orton Hall is one of five Ohio State buildings on the National Register of Historic Places (the others are Hale Hall, Hayes Hall, Ohio Stadium, and the original University Hall before it was demolished). It was listed in 1970. While many original features have been butchered, such as certain parts of the interior, the entrance hall and exterior remain largely intact.

Orton Hall’s entrance in 1979. (Buckeye Stroll)

Most recently, the dinosaur skeleton that can be seen in the lobby today was added in 2020. This specimen is known as Cryolophosaurus ellioti and was discovered and named after former Ohio State professor David Elliot. It measures about 22 feet long and is over 175 million years old.

Photos

Principal, north facade of Orton Hall:

Lots of classic Richardsonian moves here, though at a smaller scale than the biggest hallmarks of the style. Vaulted entrance, dense massing, and iconic features such as towers.

This tower is probably one of the most recognizable landmarks of Ohio State campus. We’ll get to it in detail later.

The entrance is approached by a tall flight of stairs--not very ADA compliant, but pretty cool:

These groups of rectangular windows are a common Richardsonian Romanesque feature outside of vaulted windows.

The ones above are smaller but have nifty columns. I’m willing to bet each one across the entire building has a unique capital:

The northwest side has regular windows and is relatively unadorned besides the columns on the third floor windows:

A closer look at the vaulted entrance:

This portal would not look out of place on a Romanesque church, but the typical tympanum is instead replaced by a double-arched lunette window. Those doors are also much bigger than they look.

A closer look at the recessed arches:

The window is actually stained glass, which is tough to see in the daylight, but at night it’s really something:

Detail of the various bundled column capitals on the right--note the block O in the leftmost one:

The left:

Ornament detail:

Note the Celtic pattern in the middle, which is a common Romanesque motif.

Sign detail and center capital:

I think this view best shows the part of the north facade obscured by trees:

There’s even a gargoyle (I’d consider it one, but I guess if you’re pedantic it’s a grotesque supporting a gutter):

This area also has a bunch of stone samples out front.

East facade:

This little colonnaded apse is so cool:

Not sure if this colonnade was always used for vents, but who knows.

More big windows looking into the library:

I know the framing of the south facade here sucks, but there was a parking sign right behind me.

This stone might look sturdy, but it’s just a veneer. A steel frame carries the building’s load, and the facade is just for aesthetics.

Closer look at the vaulted windows:

The contrasting voussoirs are another common Richardsonian Romanesque design, especially this dark stone.

Southwest side:

Arch detail and denticulation above:

The west facade is dominated by the three massive arches on the second floor:

“Little green man” in the corner:

The springers have faces hidden in the center:

Where the arches meet are what look to be dragons with dogs' heads:

Bundled columns of the first floor windows:

Owls guarding the third-floor vents:

Before going inside, let’s focus on the tower. The vaulting is superimposed, which I have never seen before and creates a very interesting effect. The grotesques above are of real creatures, varying from a chicken to dinosaurs and big cats:

From the opposite side:

It’s beautifully lit at night.

…and it looks cool in wintertime, too.

Let’s head inside. The dinosaur takes away from the intended effect a bit, but it’s still pretty cool:

Looking back from the opposite end:

I like these carved borders around the doors, and the original door is pretty nifty too:

Geology museum entrance:

One of the two memorial plaques on the east side, which honors John Bownocker:

The west side is Edward Orton’s, the namesake of the building:

Stained glass window:

The ceiling also has windows, which were a pain to capture:

Next up is the library. Here is the view as one enters from the west:

Thompson’s Grand Reading Room is great, but this rich wood paneling is even better to me.

Looking south:

Back west towards the entrance:

I wish the skylight was still there, but the ceiling still has its vaulting:

Detail of the central rosette:

These intricate wooden capitals supporting the balcony are just gorgeous.

Sitting area outside the main reading area:

This area specifically has Orton Hall’s “secret desk,” which is a fancy wooden desk with a rolling cover and many drawers…

…which are filled with notes.

The Edward Orton statue isn’t always dressed up, but he was wearing a Geological Museum shirt when I visited:

I don’t really see that apse open, either. It appears to be used as a break room.

The stairs to the mezzanine still have their fancy metal risers:

Looking down at the reading room from the balcony:

The carved wooden egg-and-dart molding is still intact and unpainted:

The windows also have their stone mullions visible from the interior, which also seems a little unusual to me:

Here’s the fugly 1970s addition they put in over the original museum mezzanine:

I was shocked at how intact this stairway is--it even has its original light fixture:

Looking back at the library and vestibule from whence we came:

Highly detailed (possibly stamped tin) ceiling, which unfortunately has been painted:

A closer look at that light fixture:

You just don’t see this kind of stuff anymore. All other buildings of this vintage have been renovated beyond recognition, and if Hayes ever had anything like this, it’s long gone now. The clawed feet are pretty similar to classical light fixtures I’ve seen, but the flower petal-like shades are more Art Nouveau-y.

I like the turtles and other decor on this newel post, as well as the fancy wrought iron between the balusters:

The room up top seems to have had a skylight at one point, but it has also been blocked off:

More original ceiling tiles and light fixtures:

Detail:

Stairs to the basement and clock tower:

Fancy.

The basement was likely a gross place even when Orton Hall was built, but the painted brick and drop ceiling today are atrocious.

Crazy maps and minerals are what I’d expect to be down here, though. The only thing missing is Indiana Jones.

The Geology Museum is in pretty desperate need of an update. The exhibits are dated, and the tiny ceiling and results of the 1970s renovation are hideous.

Cast (I think) of a dinosaur skull:

The museum is so small, cramped, and a hollow shell of its past self. Truly a shame what has been done to this part of the building.

I know I said Thompson would be my longest post when I uploaded that, but I forgot how much more detail Orton has. If you read this far, thank you! Orton Hall is also planned to be renovated according to Framework 3.0, and hopefully this remodeling will undo the damage that has been done, or at least not cause any further harm.

Column Capitals

Okay, this is going to get into major architecture nerd territory, but I took a picture of every single column and capital in the entrance vestibule, which each have unique stone shafts and carved capitals. I figured I’d put these last and not right in the middle of the above content. My autofocus was struggling, so some of these might not turn out as great. First is this Corinthian-esque capital with Licking County yellow sandstone: