The Tragedy of Reeve Hall

On a campus more than one hundred forty five years old, one might think to find buildings reminiscent of an age gone by. Buildings built in the early twentieth century regularly demonstrate attention to detail missing in today’s structures.

Reeve Hall, built in 1925, was such a building. Hand sculpted gargoyles adorned the building, and fireplaces made the building have a “homey” feel. For over forty five years, it housed Indiana State University’s female students. During World War II, the building played its part to support the war effort. Students vacated the building from 1944 - 1946, allowing it to be used as Navy barracks for the V-5 & V-12 programs.

In 1971, the building was permanently closed as a dormitory due to rising costs and increased residence hall vacancies. The massive Sycamore Towers, constructed in 1965, became the main residence for students. Until Reeve Hall’s demolition in 1998, the building was used as faculty offices and classrooms. The handcrafted gargoyles now adorn the legs of a semicircle bench commemorating Reeve Hall’s site.

Such a beautiful building never should have been allowed to become run down and demolished. Such an important piece of history should have been seen as precious, not a problem. Reeve Hall’s closing and destruction was an unfortunate waste of history.