A Brief History of Leighton Hall

Credits: Nicole Connell

Leighton Hall of Chemistry was built in 1920, designed by the Patton, Holmes, and Flinn Architects firm in Chicago. Thanks to a donation from Horace N. Leighton, the $300,000 building was named after his daughter Lizzie, who had passed away in 1906. 

The building was orginally built with three stories and a basement, with the face of the building made of Bedford Stone and red brick. The basement held a laboratory that could hold up to 40 students. The second floor contained two lecture halls with a capacity of 120 students each as well as the main quantitative laboratory. Finally, the third floor was home to the department of home economics. The Geology and History departments, as well as Offices on the Deans, Registrar, Treasurer, and Placement and Admissions all  called Leighton home at some point in the years following.

In 1977 Leighton Hall was rededicated following a renovation. The Chemistry and Geology departments moved into the newly built Mudd Hall of Science. The building was then occupied by History, Modern and Classical Languages, Philosophy, and Religion departments, as well as the offices of Admissions, Alumni Affairs, the Business Office, Central Records, Central Services, Development, Financial Aid, Publications, and the News Bureau. 

Today, Leighton Hall is home to the History, Sociology and Anthropology, Philosophy, and Religion departments, as well as many of the administrative offices such as the Business Office.