Women's Gymnasium (2nd)

Date

1881-ca. 1951

Location

West of Talcott Hall on Professor Street (demolished)

Architects/Collaborators

Builder unknown

Style

Italianate (brick portion)

History

This brick structure, two stories in height, was built in 1881 located south of the Ladies Hall (Second). It was ready for use in September, 1881. The lower floor was used for gymnasium purposes, while the upper furnished dormitory accommodations for young women. In 1886 the entire building was given over to gymnasium uses. In the summer of 1906 the Rockefeller Skating Floor, built in 1895, was remodeled for gymnasium purposes and the two buildings taken together constituted the Women’s Gymnasium. The main room was 90 by 50 feet, 18 feet high on the sides, and 28 feet high in the center, with a visitor’s gallery extending across the east end. In 1931 Crane Pool was opened for women, and in 1939 the adjoining Hales Gym, also for women, opened to replace the old Women's Gymnasium. The old gym was assigned to the Navy for use as a store for supplies in 1943, used as headquarters for the YWCA and for College supplies in 1946, and as headquarters for the Residences and Dining Halls Department in 1947. The western part (all except the brick portion) was torn down in 1948 to clear space for Harkness House. The rest of the building was demolished in the early 1950s.

Source

Oberlin College Archives, Office of the Secretary Records.