University Libraries

Originally built in 1922 to care for tuberculosis patients, the former Thomas Hospital at Gettysburg and Germantown Pike was acquired by the University of Dayton in Spring of 1960. The former hospital site was turned into dormitory and classroom space in a remodeling project that took over four months. University Hall housed approximately 400 freshman men for over 12 years beginning in September of 1960.

Equipped with most modern of conveniences on a 76- acre campus, UH was five miles from the main campus. A bus called the Blue Goose shuttled students back and forth for classes, with some classes held in the basement of the dorm building. Secluded from the typical university life on the main campus, the student community quickly bonded with less distractions and no bus service on Sundays. Freshman assigned to UH were allowed to have cars, but few students had the luxury of an automobile.

Most of the West Campus property was sold by UD to the US Department of Labor in 1977. It is part of the Dayton Job Corps training center that is still in operation.

- Kristina S. Klepacz, Assistant University Archivist