Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

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1852 -1978: A For 122 years the stately and austere structure of Fisher Hall dominated the northeast section of Miami's eastern campus. But after a some- what odd and turbulent past, time took its toll on this historic site. In the late 1950s the State Architect's Office declared the upper floors of the structure unsound; with its doors barred and windows barricaded to entry, the ivy- laden, aged brick structure awaited its fate. Although this declaration stimulated a ram- page of save 2 Fisher Hall 2 campaigns, the building itself suffered through two decades of neglect and weather which ultimately led to its demolition. In 1958 the Miami University Theatre moved in, making partial use of Fisher Hall. The basement and first floor of the building were used for the practice and performance of year- round entertainment. But in 1968, upon com- pletion of the Center for Performing Arts, Fisher Hall was left vacant and isolated, its use limited to storage. Durin that time, and up to the point of its razing, our feasibility studies were conducted by the Developmental Advisory Council, Alumni Council, Miami Conservative Club and other special committees. In addition, three ex- tensive studies were Completed by engineers and architects who estimated costs of restora- tion at a minimum of $2 million. Over the years sOme of the proposed uses concerned converting the old hall into a dormi- tory, creative arts center, architecture building, art museum or conference center. In the end, trustees and legislators opposed expenditure for renovation when the cost esti- mates for renovation neared cost estimates for replacement. And especially when appeals brought no prospect of badly needed funds, the decision to demolish the historical landmark was inevitable. In 1852 the Rev. John Witherspoon Scott was forced to leave Miami because of liberal Pre- sbyterian and strong anti-slavery Views; this action marked the beginning of Fisher Hall. Be- cause of Dr. Scott's popularity as an educator, he was urged to found an institution for educat- ing women. On September 3, 1856, Fisher Hall was dedicated as the Oxford Female College. The enrollment figure of 250 was preserved for nearly thirty years. 'But very early, the college suffered the effects of great indebtedness. Original projections of $40,000 were ex- ceeded with the addition of steam heat, gas lights, stables and other outbuildings, an ex- tensive library, and additional amenities, rais- ing the total to $100,000. That, coupled with an obligation for the school to provide free-tuition and board for the daughters of missionaries, eventually forced Dr. Scott to resign. Replacing him as the second and last presi- dent of the College was Dr. Robert Desha Mor- ris, who also became head of. the Oxford Female Institute. In 1882, after the death of Dr. Morris, the building was sold to' the Oxford Retreat Company, which held a charter from the State Encased in a layer of snow, Fisher Hall survives its last winter - U i i ii 13:; - 5 i : ,o is. i i V . , . 6. . , I . . , :1' . .A . .1 ' ' 9 V 8 e; .- ' 4, m -. - 8 j

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Campus Life 8R xx .8 88 8 A Change of Mood 12 1852-1978: A Controversial Death 14 Welcome to the Machine 16 Elements of Quality 24 FIII's Capture Greek Week . 26 Jobs Through Joyner 28 Students Get Financial Relief Elements of Quality 32 A Time to Celebrate Home 34 Elements of Quality 36 Special Treatment for Mom 8 Dad 41 Elements of Quality 44 Unwanted Energy 46 Elements of Quality 48 Students Going to Pot 50 Crazy People Play Crazy Games 52 Elements of Quality 54 A Slant 0n Residence Life 56 Elements of Quality 66 Over the Hills and Far Away 69 Dwellings of a Different Kind 72 Elements of Quality 78 Slickers, Sno Cones and Souvenirs for Sibs 80 Dramataeists Work a Miracle 84 Hey You, Where Did You Get That Bike? 86 Elements of Quality 86 Moving Out and Moving On 92 One More Hungry Blaze Captured 94 Anderson Hall's 1 South corridor kicks off the school year with a get-acquainted party at Bangs. The relaxed atmosphere allows everyone to enjoy the evening and to begin a year of friendship. Dave Hunt Campus Life 1 11

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Controversial Death quietly, coldly. Jeff Miller of Ohio to operate a sanitarium. It sold for $45,000. For 44 years, the building was used as a Pri- vate Institution for the Treatment of Insanity, Nervous Disorders, xInebrity, and Opium Habit, but was then sold to Miami University. After extensive interior and exterior remodel- ing, the building opened as a'residence hall for men. Dr. Upham, then president of the univer- sity, named the building Fisher Hall after Judge Elam Fisher. tThe name is especially fitting since Dr. Upham recalled Elam Fisher after being kicked out of Oxford Female College while courting a resident there.1 The building provided 78 rooms for 148 students and 4 suites for faculty members. During the Second World War, the US. Navy established a Naval Training School and offi- cially titled it The USS. Fisher Hall. The radio school trained 5,854 men and women tWAVESX The US. Navy was so impressed with Miami's contribution to the war effort, that when establishing officer-training units across the nation they developed Miami's present Navy R.O.T.C. program. During the academic year of 1945-1946, Fisher Hall was occu ied by Miami women, but in the Autumn o 1946, the building once again became a freshman residence hall for men. One of the most intriguing mysteries that en- shrouded Fisher Hall was the permanent dis- appearance of Ronald Tammen, a 19-year-old sophomore counselor. On April 19, 1953, four years before the upper floors of Fisher were condemned, Tammen vanished from his room. His roommate, Charles Findley, returned to the dorm around midnight on Sunday to find a book open on Tammen's desk and the light still on. When there was no explanation for his ab- sence, a search began which eventually became nation-wide. All possible clues were checked, but Tammen's car, his billfold, bank account, personal belongings, even. his coat, were left untouched. Since that time, the spirit of Ron Tammen was kept alive by the many accounts of mysterious figures, strange footfalls, moving pictures and the like. Although sentiments concerning the demoli- tion of Fisher Hall were varied and controver- sial, the final decision by the Board of Trustees was unavoidable, even with the proposed grant-match for $374,000 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Interior and exterior decay had become so extensive- that costs for renovation were considered un- feasible by the Board. On July 16, 1978 Acme Wrecking began de- molition of the pre-Civil War edifice that lasted through the summer. Portions of Fisher were salvaged, the cupola section of the bell tower, keystones, post supports and numerous bricks, to be used in the proposed memorial confer- ence center planned to replace the area Fisher Hall once dominated. :.-.'