Stambaugh Hall
Stambaugh Hall was named for Avanell Conner Stambaugh in recognition of her generous support of the university. Stambaugh Hall was built on the site of Turner Hall, which was destroyed by fire on February 3, 1949. Turner was the former residence of ONU’s first president, Henry Solomon Lehr and was being used as co-ed housing at the time. Stambaugh Hall was the university’s second dormitory.
The Knowlton Construction Company of Bellefontaine, Ohio was the general contractor with a bid of $853,000. The hall was opened in 1950, and the structure was formally named the Avanell Conner Stambaugh hall in 1965 at commencement. Originally Stambaugh Hall could accommodate 165 upperclass women in double rooms, all coeds except for those living in Ada or commuting
Biography:
Avanelle Connor Stambaugh was born in 1873 on a farm south of Ada. She was the third of six children born to Elizabeth Patterson Branstitter and John P. Connor. She married George Fowler Stambaugh, one of the organizers of the Scioto Land Company and a large grower in Hardin County. They had no children, and he died on Nov. 22, 1939
Mrs. Stambaugh had numerous civic interests, one of which was the Ada Public Library. She served as President of the library board from 1936 until her death. In
1953, a major donation from here made the current library building possible as well as an extensive remodeling in 1965.
