Originally referred to as the Eagle Learning Center, Centennial Hall is one of the first buildings visitor's see when coming onto campus. Built in the late 2000s, this building is home to the graduate studies program, along with a number of other assorted classes. For a while, public safety was stationed in this building. As of 2024, it is now referred to as Centennial Hall.
One of the residence halls on Eastern University's main campus, Eagle Residence Hall is the latest dormitory to be added. Opened in 2007, Eagle Hall (as it is more colloquially known) is one of two dormitories on the northern side of campus, closest to the entrance. Despite being farther away from the "main hub" of the campus, Eagle Hall is a desired location to live due to its recency and proximity to parking. It is also the location of Campus Public Safety.
Fowler Hall was purchased by Eastern in September 1992. It was originally named Heritage House to honor the rich heritage of the school. Later dedicated for EU trustee Conrad J. Fowler, the building changed roles frequently, going from the home for the registrar to administration offices. Currently, Fowler is undergoing renovation and in the 2024-2025 school year will house the entirety of the Music Department.
Templeton Hall is the new home for Templeton Honors College, first opened in 1999 thanks to Drs. Jack and Josephine Templeton. The building was previously known as Workman Hall, renamed on January 23, 2024, and was originally the location of the Music Department (who have since moved to Fowler Hall). Templeton Hall is currently undergoing extensive construction, slated to be completed in 2025. Additions include new classroom and communal spaces, recital and performance space for the neighboring music department, and an art gallery.
Sparrowk Residence Hall first opened in 2001, making it the second to latest dormitory on campus. It is also the second residence hall located on the northern half of campus, featuring its own parking and connected to the "main hub" via a paved pathway. Originally named North Campus Hall (or NCH), Sparrowk Hall received its name in 2007. Located nearby is The Grove, an outdoor hangout spot for students including picnic tables and lights strung throughout the trees.
Largest building on campus, McInnis Learning Center is the first dedicated academic building on Eastern's St. Davids campus. The building was completed in 1972 and includes an auditorium and a state of the art nursing lab on the third floor, along with classrooms and faculty offices. There is also a rooftop observatory named for Dr. David Bradstreet, current faculty member of Eastern University. Tied with the observatory is the Julia Fowler Planetarium, and the two features have played important roles in the university's science departments, as well as the larger community.
Janet Long Mall Cottage is the last of the seven original buildings of the Walton estate. It was built in 1916 as the gardener's house with a greenhouse attached. The building also was used as an infirmary for the campus starting in 1953, named for Suzanne "Suzie" Walton (Charles Walton Sr.'s granddaughter). Now named for the former Executive Director of Student Financial Services for Eastern University, Janet Long Mall Cottage is now the home of the Financial Aid and Student Accounts departments.
Andrews· Constructed in 1914· Original building on Walton Estate· Garage and stable· Companion to waterwheel; water was pumped to large tank on upper level of Andrews, highest point on estate – then relied on gravity to flow to fountains and flowerbeds· Apartment for Walton's chauffeur and his family, and two other bedrooms for servants· 1952 – converted into Science Building for EBC – all science taught there until 1972 (then just Chemistry and Physics)· 1980s – named Andrews· Now the center for Business, Communications, Language, and English departs.
Harold C. Howard Center is located at the heart of the campus as an addition to Warner Memorial Library. It is located right in the center of campus, and it helps to keep our students going by providing them with academic resources, research help, printing and scanning access, and a peaceful place to study. The library was built in 1964 while the HHC expansion was built in 2005. Together they act as a central hub for Eastern students as both classroom locations, Human Resources, and now Academic Resource Center. HHC was named for the previous vice president and academic dean of Eastern College, while the library was named for Frank Warner, father to trustee member H. Warner.
The Softball Field went through many changes while on campus. Many improvements were made in 1974 and again in 1998, while new bleachers were purchased in 2000 by the Student Government Association. However, In 2018, extensive flooding throughout the area caused flooding on campus and especially the fields, and the softball season had to be cancelled when the top layer of soil was stripped and most of the sand washed away. In 2019, the softball season was played without a home field while the softball field reconstruction took place. A new field made of turf was added by 2019, flipped 180 degrees and including drainage and irrigation along with new dugouts and backstops.
One of Eastern’s most iconic structures is the Eagle Statue that is nestled in the center of campus by the Walton Hall patio. The Eagle was a gift from the Hecht Company, who had acquired the statue after purchasing the John Wanamaker department store in the local Oxford Valley Mall. The Eagle was installed on November 28, 1995.
Walton Hall· Private residence of Charles S. Walton, Sr. and his family· Walmarthon – constructed in 1913· Had 55 rooms, 5 lavatories, and 8 baths· 1918 – backdrop for Oh! Johnny! Silent film· 1952 – became Eastern Baptist College· Library remained in Walton until 1964· Serves as main hub of campus: dining commons, student development, career services, coffee shop, faith & practice, etc.
Willow Lake, also referred to as Walton Lake, is next to Walton Hall and boasts a scenic view of Walton, Doane Residence Hall, and the historic waterwheel. Charles Walton Sr. had the Walmarthon estate built from 1912-1916 with Willow Lake as the family’s swimming pool. At the time, Walton Sr. had trees planted to create a natural preserve, including white ash, black oak, ginkgo, and franklinia trees. The 1.4 acre lake still has a concrete bottom and sides, and it is believed that tiles from the original pool line the bottom of the lake. Now, the terrace next to the lake has been restored, and students can be seen looking out on the lake or getting homework done. Willow Lake has a large fountain in the center to help circulate the water.
Doane Residence Hall is the oldest dormitory on campus. The building is split into four sections letter from Doane A to Doane D, with the original and oldest section being Doane B. Overlooking the campus' west side, Doane Hall was originally known as the "Bonalton" estate, built in 1911 for Charles S. Walton Sr.'s eldest son, Thomas England Walton. The three acres included the estate and the surrounding hills, and David Knickerbacker Boyd was the architect for the estate: the same man who designed the Central Baptist Church in Wayne, PA. It was originally named Fairview Dormitory, due to the beautiful views of the campus from the top of the hill where the building stands, and it remained a women-only residence hall until it became co-ed in the 1980s. Doane A is the largest of the sections and also houses the Health Center which can be accessed by non-Doane residents from the rear entrance.
Adams Hall was originally a carriage house, though now it is the location of Plant Operations for Eastern University. A greenhouse stands nearby, previously used by the Biology Department from the 1960s-1980s. Both locations are tucked away in the corner of the campus, behind Doane Residence Hall and in front of the newly refurbished Ott Hall.
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Ott Hall was formerly known as the Frank Disston Property. Eastern acquired this building and named it Ott Hall in honor of its donor, Wallace Ott. Since then, Ott Hall has been the home for many different departments on campus. Built in 1930, this three-story 11,042 square foot building just underwent its latest change: becoming the home for the President and Cabinet Team, Campolo Scholars, and Finance Team. Renovations including an infrastructure and aesthetic makeover began in January 2024 and were completed in early September 2024.
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Gatehouse· First building to welcome visitors to Walton Estate· Originally known as Entrance Lodge, completed in 1912· 1952-1954 – home of Dean and Mrs. Lyle O. Bristol· 1954 – Fine Arts building, music department moved here (stayed until 1972)· 1956 Log – "Just behind [the Gate House] can be heard solos and harmony of many kinds"· Eagle Road entrance replaced main entry to campus in 1997Male MBA or international students were housed here in the 1980s· Nursing used to be there· During COVID, used as quarantine housing· Currently houses the Alumni and Advancement Dept.
The McGraw Lake, previously known as Upper Lake, is near the Gatehouse and inbetween the Gymnasium and Doane Residence Hall. The Historic Waterwheel branches off of it past a small, man-made canal, and the Log Cabin was located on its shores until 2010. Within the lake live numerous gold fish, some of which have grown to be over a foot long, and many turtles live in the lake. The lake was named McGraw Lake in honor of Joseph L. McGraw in 2003. As stated by a dedication plaque near the edge of the lake, he was honored "for his dedicated service as Chief Facilities Officer to the Eastern Community from 1979-2002." Currently, the pedestrian walkway along McGraw Lake is undergoing construction to become a drivable path starting in August 2024.
The waterwheel was commissioned by the Walton family and built in 1912. Except during periods of renovation/reconstruction and/or flooding (e.g. in September 1960 during Hurricane Donna), the waterwheel has operated continuously for over 100 years. When the waterwheel was originally constructed it helped power multiple fountains in ponds and in the dining room of the Walton's residence. Now, the waterwheel powers the lights that illuminate the historic masterpiece at night.
Constructed in 1912 as part of the Walton Estate, this large building was designed to resemble a log cabin. It included spaces for entertaining along with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an apartment for the caretaker. The Log Cabin later became part of the Eastern Baptist College campus and became a hub for student life, complete with a books store, barbershop, and other student essentials. A beloved memory for students of Eastern Baptist College (later Eastern University), the once-iconic building suffered neglect and was demolished in 2008. A plaque remains on the spot where it stood.
Eastern's Gymnasium was one of multiple buildings built in 1958. While it served as the home for chapel for quite some time, it has never deviated from being a hub for physical education and athletic prowess. Some might be surprised to find that in its initial construction, there was space set aside for a dance studio. While you may find more dance classes in McInnis these days, you'll still find Athletics in The Nest.
Named for alumni Chip Olson, Olson Field is home to multiple sports teams. It occupies an ideal spot on campus between the gymnasium and several of the larger residence halls. This makes it easy for athletes to get to games or training, and for students to watch games. Go Eagles!
The Gym Cottage has long been the home of people who keep things moving. It started off as the home for head coachman Elis Clark. It is currently home to Eastern's Conferences and Special Events Department. In the interim, it served as home to many students, including social advocate and Eastern alumni, Shane Claiborne.
Gough Residence Hall is the largest and tallest dormitory on the St. Davids campus. Built in 1997, Gough was originally named "New Residence Hall," as at the time it was the first newly built dormitory for ten years. The building was later named for trustee W. Donald Gough and his wife Susan (Mudridge) Gough, both of whom were alumni of the university (then college) from 1967. There is also the Danny A. Hearing Indoor Golf Facility, dedicated on April 8, 2013 on behalf of the Athletics Department.
Kea-Guffin Residence Hall are two halves of a single whole. Guffin is the northern section and is the older of the two, originally built in 1940 as the estate of Virginia B. Taggart and purchased by the campus in 1952. Kea is one of the older residence halls on campus, built from 1968-1969, and is located in the "south wing" of the overall building. Kea-Guffin remains a central hub for student activity for Eastern University, acting as the home for a commuter student lounge, a student conference room, a first-year experience room, and offices for student groups such as Inklings (literary magazine), The Waltonian (newspaper), and Student Government Association.
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Hainer Residence Hall was the first dormitory to be built on the purchased St. Davids property in 1952. The building first opened on September 14, 1953 and dedicated the following October, named for John A. Hainer, one of the original six founders of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary). Hainer was originally occupied by men only until 1976, and the Hainer East extension was added in 1999.
Gallup, or The Gallup Residence Hall Complex is a four-building residence hall complex. The buildings are labeled A, B, C, and D. On the first floor of Building A, there is a lounge and a classroom currently used as a quiet space. The first floors of the rest of the buildings house one apartment on either side of the walk-way.
Eastern's Baseball Field was added to the St. Davids campus in 1966. It was later dedicated to Hendler Field, named for college business manager Col. F.E. Hendler. However, the name has faded into obscurity, and now the field is simply known as the "Baseball Field." The field is currently under construction.
Rock Lake, or Lower Lake, is nestled in the center of Eastern University’s campus. This artificial lake is surrounded by thick foliage, and often a great blue heron can found along its edge. In 1912-1916, when the Walmarthon estate was first built, the Rock Lake was once the water lily pond. A bridge near the baseball and softball fields provides a window into this sanctuary.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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In celebration of the 100th anniversary of our founding institution, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary), Warner Memorial Library Archives proudly presents the walking tour of the main campus at St. Davids, Wayne, PA. Please see our driving tour for more information on related locations from our institution's history: https://theclio.com/tour/2745
