Drake Union

Drake Union
Ohio State University
Drake Union shown here on the West Campus of The Ohio State University
Nickname	Drake
Type	student activity center
Erected	1971
Architect	Todd Tibbals
Special features	bowling alley

The Drake Union is a student activity center located at Ohio State University. The union is located on the west campus of Ohio State between Morrill Tower and Lincoln Towers off the east banks of the Olentangy River.

Background

With the construction of residence halls on west campus, Ohio State students living there found the walking distance to travel to the Ohio Union long, especially in the winter. The Board of Trustees approved the construction of a second union in 1969.^[1] Designed by architect Todd Tibbals, the union was officially named after Edward S. Drake, a former manager at the Ohio Union for 33 years, in 1971 and officially opened in 1972 at a cost of $4.5 million dollars.^[1] Following the construction, there were plans to build additional structures surrounding Drake Union, but those plans were cancelled.^[2][3] Although it would appear Drake Union would rival the existing Ohio Union as Ohio State's second union, both unions worked together as community centers for students and visitors.^[2]

Current Uses

Drake Union houses the Department of Theatre at Ohio State.^[3] The union also offers a restaurant, Pizza at the Drake (PAD), Buckeye TV, and houses The Ohio State University's on-campus marina. The union once housed Archie's Alley, which included bowling alleys, pool tables, and a bar, but closed in 1999 due to low patronage.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Herrick Archives Number 296: Drake Union
2. ^ ^{a b} Union to celebrate 25th b-day, Shelly Rashid, The Lantern, May 7, 1997, Retrieved October 14, 2007
3. ^ ^{a b} Drake Performance and Event Center
4. ^ Some students sad as little-known bowling alley closes, Ponce Brown, The Lantern, March 11, 1999, Retrieved October 14, 2007

External links

• Department of Theatre Info on Drake Union