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Tours

1. Lost Buildings of Miami University Tour

   Enjoy a historical photo tour of the sites of former Miami University buildings.

   Stops

   1. Old Main

      In 1809, Miami University was chartered by the State of Ohio and named for the Native Americans who inhabited the area. By 1818, the first section the main academic building, nicknamed "Old Main", was completed. It can be seen here on the right coated with whitewash. North dormitory (Elliott Hall), far left, was built in 1828 and was followed by the South dormitory (Stoddard Hall), in the center, was built in 1836. Old Main, later renamed Harrison Hall, was demolished in 1958 to make way for the current Harrison Hall.

   2. Herron Gymnasium

      Herron Gymnasium, built in 1897, was named for John W. Herron, University trustee and father-in-law to U.S. President William Howard Taft. In 1923 the building was moved in order to meet the requirement of a donor, Laura Ogden Whaling, who asked that her new women's residence hall (Ogden Hall) be located west of the school gymnasium, which was Herron Hall, later named Van Voorhis, located exactly where Ogden Hall is today. Accommodating her request would have put it across the street from Lewis Place, home the the president and across Slant Walk. The trustees voted to relocate the huge building approximately 400 feet to the east where it stood until being demolished in 1983.

   3. Tallawanda Apartments

      The Tallawanda Apartments, on the northwest corner of High Street and Tallawanda Road, were privately built in the early 1900's. In 1929, a restaurant called Tuffy's opened in the basement and became famous for its toasted rolls. Miami leased the apartments for use by students and faculty before purchasing the property in 1952. It was used as a women's dormitory until it was razed in 1984.

   4. Swing Hall

      Swing Hall was the first residence hall built north of High Street on Tallawanda Road. The south wing was completed in 1924, and the north and central sections were added in 1935. This men's dormitory was named for David Swing, a Miami graduate of 1852 who became an acclaimed Chicago minister. During World War II it housed military personnel. It was demolished in 2018 to make way for the McVey Data Science Building.  

   5. Withrow Court

      Withrow Court was constructed in 1931 and named for a John M. Withrow, a long-time trustee of Miami University. Located on Tallawanda Road, it was built to serve as a gymnasium for classes and recreation and as an assembly hall for student events. The facility was also used for intercollegiate basketball, formal dances, and commencements. The building was razed in 2016 to make way for the new Withrow Hall residence hall.

   6. Goggin Ice Arena

      Goggin Ice Arena was a 2,850-seat arena constructed in 1976 in honor of Lloyd Goggin, former Miami vice president, who was instrumental in building the facility. The arena was also used for synchronized skating, club teams, youth hockey, broomball, and public skating. Located north of what is now the Engineering Building, it was demolished in 2006 to make way for an underground parking garage.

   7. Miami Field

      Miami Field opened in 1896 as Athletic Park. It was home to the Miami University football and track teams for nearly 90 years. The stadium had a capacity of 7,240 by 1928. When it closed in 1982 the capacity was 14,800. The brick ticket booths were relocated to the newly constructed Yager Stadium in 1983. Miami Field was removed in 1983. Pearson Hall and the Psychology Building are now located on the site.

   8. Reid Hall

      Reid Hall was a residence hall built in 1948. It was named after Whitelaw Reid, Miami class of 1855. Reid was the founder and publisher of the New York Tribune, U.S. Ambassador to England, and a candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1892. The building was razed in 2006 in order to build the Farmer School of Business on the site.

       

   9. Fisher Hall

      Fisher Hall was originally known as the Oxford Female College which merged the Oxford Female Institute in 1867. The George Cook family acquired the property and it became known as the Oxford Retreat, a mental asylum, from 1882 until the middle 1920's. It was purchased by Miami University in 1925 and became a freshman men's dormitory until 1957. T was also used as a theater and storage building until finally condemned and demolished in 1978. The Marcum Conference Center stands on the site today.

   10. Wilson Hall

       Wilson Hall was erected in 1927 by the Oxford Retreat Company to house patients for alcoholism and other substance abuse. It became a university dormitory when Miami purchased the property in 1936. It was originally called The Pines and later named Wilson Hall in honor of a Miami University administrator. Wilson Hall was demolished in 2019.

   11. Mary Lyon Hall

       Mary Lyon Hall was built in 1925 as a women's dormitory for the Western College for Women. It was named after Mary Lyon, who was the founder of Mount Holyoke Seminary, which greatly influenced Western College. It was built on ground donated by the Patterson Estate. It was demolished in 2016 to create greenspace.

   12. Alumnae Hall

       Alumnae Hall was completed in 1892 as part of the Western College for Women.  The building was constructed with financing from alumnae, and used by students as a library, laboratory area and art department. The building contained an elaborate stained-glass piece, The Tillinghast Window, that was later displayed at the Chicago World’s Fair, and is now in Kumler Chapel. Prior to its razing in 1977 it was located between Boyd Science Hall and Peabody Hall.

   13. Miami Manor Apartments

       Miami Manor Apartments were a set of four 2-story apartment buildings constructed in 1958 for married students. The complex was demolished in 2003 to make way for the Heritage Commons Apartment complex in 2005.

   14. Hepburn Hall

       Hepburn Hall was constructed in 1905 as Miami's first women's dormitory. It was named for Andrew Hepburn, President of Miami University from 1871 to 1873. Hepburn was, ironically, an outspoken foe of co-education. After a fire in 1908, it was rebuilt and continued to serve as a dorm until 1961. Renamed Clokey Hall, it was used for music practice until its demolition in 1972 when King Library was enlarged.

   15. Brice Hall

       Brice Hall was built in 1890 as a science building. Nicknamed "Old Egypt", it was named after 1863 Miami graduate Calvin Brice. A Civil War veteran, railroad magnate, and U.S. Senator, Brice came to the aid of the university in 1885 as it attempted to reopen after 12 years. He provided funds to pay off some of the university’s debt incurred during the Civil War and underwrote two professorships to launch Miami into a new era. Brice Hall was demolished in 1968 to make room for an addition to King Library.