Archbold Gymnasium
Cornerstone Laid: March 24, 1908
Building Officialy Occupied: December 17, 1908
First Classes Occupied: March 1, 1909
Architects For Original Building: Professors Frederick W. Revels and Earl Hallenbeck
Contractors: Consolidated Engineering and Construction Company of New York City
Cost: $400,000
Fire Nearly Destroyed Building: January 12, 1947
New Wing Dedicated: February 12, 1952
Notes:
In 1907 the Trustees agreed to erect a gymnasium at a cost of $200,000 - the money to be raised by placing a mortgage on the University Block. The cost was soon revised to $300,000. The cornerstone laying took place on March 24, 1908, and the gym was officially opened on December 17, 1908 on the occasion of the Junior Prom. The first classes were held in the new gym on March 1, 1909. In June 1909 John D. Archbold gave the University $300,000 to cancel the mortgage on the University Block made necessary by the erection of the gym.
The gymnasium building measured 150' by 210' with the gymnasium room measuring 100' by 205'. It contained a swimming pool, rowing tank, baseball cage, indoor track measuring twelve laps to the mile, and bowling alleys which were installed in the Fall of 1911 through the generosity of Archbold.
In January 1947 the building was almost completely destroyed by fire. Most of the old superstructure still standing was demolished, except for the north wing, which was least damaged in the blaze. The north wing was reconstructed and remodeled.starting in the spring of 1948. By February 1949 the Athletic Department returned to the building. A new wing designed by Lorimer Rich and Robins Conn was completed in 1952 at a cost of $3 million, with the dedication taking place on February 12, 1952. Archbold's locker rooms, stairways and exit controls were renovated concordant with the opening of neighboring Flanagan Gym in October 1989.
