Edwards Gymnasium and Pfeiffer Natatorium

The Edwards Gymnasium and Pfeiffer Natatorium on the main campus of Ohio Wesleyan University was built in 1905. It was designed by architect J.W. Yost and was built by Feick & Son.[1][2]

Edwards Gymnasium and Pfeiffer Natatorium
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Building in 2021
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Location	OWU Main Campus, S. Sandusky St., Delaware, Ohio
Coordinates	40°17′41″N 83°4′3″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1905-06
Built by	Feick & Son
Architect	Yost, J.W.
MPS	Ohio Wesleyan University TR
NRHP reference No.	85000632[1]
Added to NRHP	March 18, 1985

It has a stone entry portico and a "dominant" red tile roof with dormers. The gymnasium is named for alumnus John Edwards of Leipsic, Ohio, who served on the board of trustees of the university and was a major benefactor to the university.[2]

Edwards Hall is a 1,800-seat multi-purpose arena. Located at the south end of the campus in Delaware, Ohio, it is home to the Wesleyan Battling Bishops swimming and handball teams.

In 1985, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places along with the natatorium named for benefactor Annie Merner Pfeiffer.[1][3]

The Pfeiffer Natatorium was the competition pool for OWU from 1954 to 2010.[4]

Basketball and volleyball competition, and other indoor sports, were moved to the 2,300 seat Branch Rickey Arena, built adjacent to Edwards Gymnasium, upon its completion in 1976.[5]

The Edwards Gymnasium was then renovated to accommodate the Pfeiffer Natatorium, named for donor Annie Merner Pfeiffer.[6]

It is 150 by 83 feet (46 m × 25 m) in plan. Built mainly of light-colored brick, it has a hipped red clay-tiled roof with dormers at both ends and sides.[3]

Entrance with elaborate carved stone decoration

The entrance has carved stone pillars.[3]

[note 1]

The complex was listed on the National Register as part of a 1984 study of historic resources on the OWU campus.[7] All the OWU sites listed together on the National Register in 1985 are:

• Austin Hall, Ohio Wesleyan University, W. Central Ave. and Elizabeth St.
• Edwards Gymnasium/Pfieffer Natatorium, Ohio Wesleyan University Main Campus, S. Sandusky St.
• Ohio Wesleyan University Student Observatory, Ohio Wesleyan University, W. William St.
• Sanborn Hall, Ohio Wesleyan University, W. Campus
• Selby Field, Ohio Wesleyan University, Henry St.
• Slocum Hall, University Main Campus, Sandusky St.
• Stuyvesant Hall, Ohio Wesleyan University, W. William St., and
• University Hall-Gray's Chapel, Ohio Wesleyan University, W. William St.[1]

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