Towson University Buildings and Structures - History

History

• Stephens Hall, Newell Hall, and the Power Plant were the first three original buildings built on the suburban campus.

• In 1936, the Works Progress Administration, part of Roosevelt's New Deal, had spent over $55,000 in its work on "The Glen". It included lodges which were used for open air classes and meetings, a council ring for ceremonies, and an amphitheater.

• The original Lida Lee Tall was renamed Van Bokkelen Hall in 1960, after the man who first headed the State School System and funded the Normal School.

• After the school was moved to Towson, Richmond became the first principal to live in the white, colonial style house near Prettyman Hall. This was the main building of one of the estates existing on the land that was secured for the school. However, in 1970 President James Fisher became the last to live in the Glen Esk house since the school moved to Towson. Because it was no longer suitable for a family, as students were occasionally found passed out on the lawn, it was turned into the Counseling Center.

• In 1971, as Earle T. Hawkins, former president of Towson State University, researched the school's history, he became especially interested in the meaning of the name of the house, "Glen Esk", now the counseling center. Hawkins published an article in The Baltimore Sun, in which he suggested he was trying to solve this mystery. In response, he received a letter from the wine and spirits importers Maynard and Child, Inc. of Scotland, who included a label from their brand of whiskey called "Glen Esk."

• The Cook Library occupies space that was once a gymnasium. Prior to its opening, the Media Center served as the library.

• George LaTour Smith, whom Smith Hall is named after, died on his way home after getting hit by a locomotive. The administration felt that it was respectful to name the building in his honor.