Wilson Hall (Miami University)

Wilson Hall Miami University in Oxford, Ohio consists of old brick buildings. Some of these buildings were present not long after Miami University was established in 1809. Currently most of the buildings on campus either house classrooms or dorm rooms. Wilson Hall, located on Miami’s East Quad, is currently being used for dormitories for both male and female first-year students. Students of Miami did not reside in Wilson Hall when it was originally built as The Pines.HistoryIn 1882, before Miami was the main attraction to Oxford, “The Oxford Retreat” was present. “The Oxford Retreat” “was a private hospital for the treatment of mental and nervous diseases, alcoholic, and narcotic inebriety". There were several buildings that made up the hospital. The main building, which was erected at the cost of $100,000, contained one hundred and forty-four rooms for patients. The main building, which was later turned into Fisher Hall, is now what is known as the Marcum Conference Center. The annex to the Retreat was called The Pines. The Pines was set apart from the main building to house women who were not only affected mentally, but who also had “nervous disorders, alcoholic, or narcotic addiction”. The Pines was completed in June, 1926. The fireproof building consists of native blue limestone with a red tile roof. After Miami bought the main building of The Oxford Retreat, to make into Fisher Hall in 1925, The Pines became the main and only building used for the sanatorium.Purchasing The PinesDuring the expansion of Miami University, The Pines became a huge interest to include in the Miami’s campus. Contract for lease and purchase was for the Oxford Retreat property, “the Pines, consisting of 14.67 acres, one large building, two cottages and a residence”. The contract was signed on July 17, 1936. The large building was to be used “as a dormitory for seventy students”. The residence that was included in the purchase belonged to Dr Harvey ad Mrs. Bessie Cook. Dr. and Mrs. Cook were able to reside there for the remainder of their lifetime for an annual rental of $5,000. The contract for the lease and purchase was put together by, W.P. Roudebush and trustees. It stated that the property was to be leased for ten years at $5,000 per year, at the end of the ten years it was to be purchased for $110,000. The amount of $110,000 would be paid over a ten-year span in cash or notes. These conditions were finalized with the signatures of A.H Upham, W.P Roudebush, and Dr. and Mrs. Cook.