Ross Hall as viewed from the northwest

Description:	Cars are parked on the west side of Ross Hall, along Alpha Lane. The first residence hall on Butler Universitys Fairview campus, the building was originally known as the Mens Residence Hall as rooms were only available to male students (the dorm became coed at a later date). The groundbreaking ceremony occurred on April 1, 1953, while the cornerstone laying ceremony took place on September 30, 1953. The Fall 1954 issue of The Butler Alumnus describes the building as a precious gem (p. 4) and states that it is designed for modern and comfortable living. The architectural firm McGuire and Shook designed the L-shaped limestone building to continue the theme of the other main buildings on campus including Jordan Hall and Atherton Union. The Carl M. Geupel Construction Company served as the general contractor and the final cost of the four story building (basement and three above-ground levels) was approximately $1 million, with an additional $100,000 spent on furnishings. Opening on September 12, 1954, the building could house approximately 280 male students. Although students were already living in the dorm, a public open house was held on Sunday, October 10, 1954, so others could view the new building. Originally, the rooms were filled with custom burn proof furniture designed by the commercial department of L. S. Ayres and Company and manufactured by the Sligh-Lowry Company. Each double room contained two beds, a nightstand, a dresser, a double desk, a lounge chair, and two lamps. The drapes, rugs, chair coverings, lamps, and bedspreads in each room incorporated one of eight different color schemes: medium blue, spring green, coral, tan, ivory, beige, gunmetal, and chartreuse. In 1962, construction began on an addition to the residence hall in order to house approximately 250 additional students. Designed by McGuire, Shook, Compton, Richey and Associates (name changed from McGuire and Shook in 1958), the construction of the two additional wings on the west and south sides of the building began in March 1962, and they opened in September 1963. When University President M. O. Ross retired in 1962, the board of directors passed a resolution to rename the building after Ross, who served as president from 1942 to 1962. The name of the building was officially changed to Ross Residence Hall in 1963. Cropping marks are located along the edges of the photograph.
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2669
Collection:	Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Copyright:	In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.836653, -86.170153 39.836653 -86.170153
Subjects:	Dormitories Automobiles Trees Streets Curbs Sidewalks Hydrants Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History Ross Residence Hall Mens Residence Hall Hampton Drive Alpha Lane Fairview campus

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