Elliott and Stoddard Halls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elliott and Stoddard Halls |
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Elliott Hall
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| Former names | North and South Dorms |
| General information | |
| Type | Dormitory building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Location | Elliott: 101 Irvin Drive Oxford, OH 45056 Stoddard: 201 Irvin Drive Oxford, OH 45056 |
| Coordinates | 39°30′31.29″N 84°44′6.93″W / 39.5086917°N 84.7352583°W |
| Inaugurated | Elliott: 1825 Stoddard: 1836 |
| Cost | Elliott: $7,000 Stoddard: $9,000 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | Elliott: 12,611 Stoddard: 12,711 |
Stoddard Hall
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| NRHP reference No. | 73001391 |
| Added to NRHP | 1973-04-03 |
Elliott and Stoddard Halls are the two oldest buildings still standing at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Elliott Hall was built in 1825, and Stoddard Hall in 1836. They were designed in the Federal style, which was popular at the time. Their design was inspired by Connecticut Hall at Yale University.
These buildings are still used as dorm rooms today. This makes them the two oldest college dorms in Ohio that are still in use. They were the very first dorms on campus, built to house students attending Miami University. Both halls have been updated many times, most recently in 2011.
You can find these dorms between the two main academic areas on Miami's campus. They face the Miami University seal, which is another important spot. Over time, Elliott and Stoddard Halls have become famous landmarks. Many students hope to live in these historic dorms. They are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, students in the Scholar Leaders program live there. The buildings are named after two early Miami professors: Charles Elliott and Orange Nash Stoddard.
Many years ago, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity was started in Elliott Hall in 1848. Later, in 1906, the founders of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, William H. Shideler and Clinton D. Boyd, lived in the same room in Elliott Hall when their group began. Both buildings were rebuilt in 1937 with help from the Public Works Administration.
In 2011, Elliott and Stoddard Halls were the first dorms at Miami to switch to geothermal energy. This means they use heat from the Earth instead of burning coal or natural gas. This new system helped the buildings use 61 percent less energy.
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Elliott Hall: A Look Inside
Elliott Hall was first called North Dorm or "Old North." It was finished in 1825. This building has always been used for student housing. It cost about $7,000 to build.
When it first opened, 35 male students lived there. Each student received basic items to help them live comfortably. These included a bed, chairs, a table, cooking tools, an ax for cutting wood for their fireplaces, and a warm hat.
Modern Updates for Elliott Hall
The first big updates to Elliott Hall happened in 1899. New technology was added to make the dorm more modern. This included a steam heater, electric lights, and updated bathrooms. These changes helped the building keep up with the times.
More updates came in 1912. The main hallway was changed into two side hallways. These new hallways were named after two professors: R.B.C. Johnson and Charles Elliott.
In 1937, the building had more major renovations. These changes gave the building the look it has today. The inside was completely redone to make the spaces flow better. Outside, the bricks were cleaned to match other buildings on campus. Some of the original chimneys were also removed.
A Special Room in Elliott Hall
In 1848, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity was founded in room 202 of Elliott Hall. The two students who started the group, Robert Morrison and John M. Wilson, were roommates in this very room.
Today, room 202 is a special place that honors these two men. It has two beds, a table, pictures of the founders, and a stone plaque. This room looks much like it did when the fraternity was founded.
Who Was Charles Elliott?
After the renovations, North Dorm was officially renamed Elliott Hall. This was to honor Charles Elliott, one of the professors the hallways were named after. Charles Elliott taught at Miami University from 1849 to 1863. He taught subjects like Logic and Greek Language. He passed away in 1892 when he was 77 years old.
Stoddard Hall: History and Changes
Stoddard Hall was first known as Southeast Building. Its construction was finished in 1836. This was the third building built on Miami's campus. It was used to house male students in their junior and senior years. The building cost about $9,000 to build and could house up to 29 students.
In 1868, the Miami chapter of the Delta Upsilon fraternity was founded in room 4. This was the room of one of the first members, William Eltzroth. Today, a plaque inside Stoddard Hall tells the story of the chapter's founding. It also honors the 12 fraternity members who died during World War II. Delta Upsilon was the sixth and last fraternity started during the "Old Miami" era. For a short time in 1869, the campus YMCA was located in Stoddard Hall. Classrooms were also held there while the main academic building, Old Main, was being renovated.
Making Stoddard Hall Modern
In 1937, a big renovation project began for "Old South." The main goal was to make "Old North" (Elliott Hall) and "Old South" (Stoddard Hall) look similar. They also wanted them to fit in with the newer buildings on Miami's campus.
The entire inside of the building was redone. Old fireplaces and stove openings were removed. The paths for moving around the building were also changed. This made it easier and simpler for students to get around inside.
Who Was Orange Nash Stoddard?
After the renovations, Miami University decided to rename the building Stoddard Hall. This was to honor Professor Orange Nash Stoddard. Stoddard taught at Miami University from 1845 to 1870. During this time, he taught Natural Science. He also served as President of the university in 1854. Stoddard passed away on February 10, 1892.
