[2] The original University Hall was designed in the High Victorian Gothic style by Jacob Snyder, a prominent architect from Akron, Ohio.

[2] Both the original and current building occupy a site on the northwestern corner of the Oval, the university's main quad.

It was established in a collaboration between the university archives and Ohio Staters, a community service and leadership student organization.

[8] The original University Hall was constructed in 1873, a year later than anticipated due to issues transporting brick and limestone to the site.

[4] In the 1960s, the building began to show a few signs of deterioration, including sagging floors in the north wing.

Ohio State considered just demolishing the un-original north wing, though eventually found it best to replace the entire building.

[2] After being closed in 1968 for safety reasons, the building was slated for demolition in 1970, while serving as a symbol for the university's centennial that year.

[9] The register nomination completed in 1970 claimed the building was in good shape, with little sign of settling walls or rotting timber, with the only unsafe portion a rear auditorium addition dating to the early 20th century.