User:Lesslulu/Reid Hall (Miami University)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reid Hall
Map
General information
TypeDormitory
Architectural styleGeorgian
LocationMiami University, Oxford, Ohio
Coordinates39°31′N 84°44′E / 39.51°N 84.73°E / 39.51; 84.73
Construction started1948
Demolished2006
Cost$795,200
Design and construction
Architect(s)Charles Cellarius
Other information
Seating capacity142 residence

Reid Hall (1948-2006) was a dormitory at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio that housed about 140 students. [1] However, it was not just a place where students lived. After a shooting occurred in 1959, the building became known as one of the most haunted buildings on campus. It was torn down in order to make room for the Farmer School of Business, but has been recreated within a set of buildings called Heritage Commons. [2] [3]

History[edit]

Whitelaw Reid[edit]

Reid Hall was named after Whitelaw Reid, a former Miami student from the class of 1856. Whitelaw later became a diplomat and a journalist. He also ran for president of the United States against Benjamin Harrison in 1892. He died on December 15, 1912 and remained a loyal Miami Alumnus throughout his life. [3] [4]


A Murder[edit]

On May 9, 1959, two men began fighting within Reid Hall. The Resident Advisor, Roger Sayles, tried to stop the fight, but was accidentally shot in the process. The shooter then ran to Ogden Hall and took his own life just moments after the first death. [2] Legend states that after Sayles was shot, he reached for a door leaving behind a bloody hand print. (Stories vary as to whether it was two hand prints or just one). Many students claimed that the hand prints refused to fade and were still visible on the wood. [2] Other students claimed to hear men arguing loudly, but when they went to find the source of the arguers, no one was ever found.

Other Events[edit]

On Easter Weekend in 1987, Reid Hall caught fire which lead to $500,000 worth of damage [5]

As of December 10, 2004, Miami University anounced that Reid Hall would be torn down in order to make room for the creation of a new building. [1] According to an article in the Miami Student, Reid Hall destruction was suggested by current Miami President, James C. Garland. [6]. In response to this news, 607 ]]people signed a petition lead by 2004 Miami Grad, Katie Goodhew, in an attempt to save the beloved hall from destruction. The petition was passed along through the web with outlets such as e-mail and networking. Goodhew got the word out through a blanket e-mail to friends, the Residence Hall Association, National Residence Hall Honorary and current student leaders at Reid Hall. According to the article, only 50% of the petition signers actually lived in Reid Hall. Goodhew explained that it was because many students were upset to see the famous hall torn down. [6] This article was written April 26, 2005. However, the board did not find the petition sufficient enough and decided to build the Farmer School of Business in its place.

Present Existence[edit]

Reid Hall was torn down in order to make room for the new Farmer School of Business in 2005. President Jim Garland's recommendation of using Reid Hall's location was accepted by the board and construction ensued. [1] Within that same year, a “new” Reid Hall was built within Heritage Commons. The new hall is “one of six apartment-style living accommodations” that is available for upper class and graduate students. [3]

New Reid Hall
New Reid


References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "News Release." Miami University. 10 December 2004. Miami University. 22 October 2010. <http://www.miami.muohio.edu/news/article/view/3332>.
  2. ^ a b c “Forgotten Ohio: Miami University Oxford, Ohio.” Forgotten Ohio…22 October 2010. <http://www.forgottenoh.com/Counties/Butler/miamiu.html>. Cite error: The named reference "Forgotten" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c "Heritage Commons - Reid Hall." MyCard. 2010. Miami University. 22 October 2010. <https://www.hdg.muohio.edu/code/MyCard/MYmenu.php?MYpage=MYresidenceHall.php&thisperson=public&seshid=&buildingcode=HCR>. Cite error: The named reference "Heritage" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ “Reid Hall.” Selected Buildings of Miami. April 1998. Miami University Archives. 22 October 2010. <http://www.lib.muohio.edu/epub/building/>.
  5. ^ Miami University Alum. (2008). Retrieved November 27, 2010, from Miami Alum: http://www.miamialum.org/s/916/internal.aspx?sid=916&gid=1&pgid=775&sparam=reid%20hall&scontid=0
  6. ^ a b Shugars, M. (2005, April 26). 607 [[petition to save Reid. Retrieved November 27, 2010, from Miami Student: http://www.miamistudent.net/2.8199/607-sign-petition-to-save-reid-1.1156383