Residence Facilities >> Thomas Hall

Thomas Hall

Quick Facts

Office Ph# — (352)392-6091
Opened — 1906
Capacity — 170
Total Rooms — 109
(room type preference = doubles, triples, quads)
limited singles and quads available
Location — See Map
Coed — by section
AC — none (NOTE: Portable ACs allowed. Click here for more info.)

See Virtual Tour Rooms

Thomas Hall was dedicated to the memory of Major William Reuben Thomas, mayor of Gainesville, who was largely responsible for the donation of 517 acres of land and $40,000 from the city of Gainesville to the Florida Legislature with the stipulation that the University of Florida would be built in Gainesville on this acreage rather than in Lake City. Part of the proposal for the acquisition of the University also included a utility contract with the city of Gainesville. The University of Florida was to receive free water if electricity was purchased from the city. A modified version of this contract between the University of Florida and the City of Gainesville is still in effect today. The First United Methodist congregation supplemented Thomas’ deal by offering an additional $30,000 to purchase the existing East Florida Seminary property in Gainesville which increased the cash value of the Gainesville deal to $70,000.

Epworth Hall, a former East Florida Seminary residence facility, is part of the structure of the present First United Methodist Church in downtown Gainesville. The Thomas Center in downtown Gainesville was also dedicated to the memory of Thomas and was formerly the residence of the Thomas family who later converted their estate to a hotel.

Major Thomas had been a teacher and principal at many schools. He had also been a professor at the East Florida Seminary. Professors at East Florida Seminary were given military titles.

Buckman and Thomas Halls were the first two buildings constructed on campus and were dedicated on September 27, 1906. The architectural firm that designed the buildings was Edwards and Walters from Atlanta, Georgia. The building contractor was W.T. Hadlow of Jacksonville. Both structures cost $75,250. The architectural design is considered to be gothic-tudor or collegiate gothic. Though each building was designed to be a residence hall, both buildings were used to house the entire operation of the university for a number of years. Thomas Hall housed administrative offices in the north section; classrooms, laboratories, an auditorium, a library, a dining room, and a kitchen in the center sections; and an agricultural experiment station in the south section. The Florida Museum of Natural History Collection was displayed for a time in Thomas Hall. In 1906, students paid $2.50 per month to live in Buckman and Thomas Halls.

In 1911, plans were finalized to construct four additional campus buildings: the Agriculture Building (Floyd Hall), the University Commons Building (Cafeteria), the Language Hall (Anderson Hall), and the College of Education Building (Peabody Hall). When these facilities were completed, all functions related to agriculture, dining, language, and education were to move from Thomas Hall leaving the facility empty and ready for renovation as a residence hall. The Agriculture Building and University Commons Building gained immediate funding. However, there was a delay in funding for the Language Hall and the Education Building. By fall 1913, these buildings were completed. By 1914, Thomas Hall was renovated for use as a residence hall. The linking of Fletcher and Sledd Halls to Thomas Hall in 1940 formed the shape of “UF” that is easily visible from the air.

During renovations that occurred between 1940 and 1949 (some sources say the 1930s), the wood interior structures of Buckman and Thomas Halls were replaced by steel and concrete at a cost of between $37,000 and $54,000. In 1974, Thomas Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The descriptive paragraph in the register adds this information:

1905-1906, Edwards and Walters, architects. Brick, 3 1/2 stories, H-shaped, hipped and pitched roof sections; crenulated parapet interrupted by stepped gables placed over a division, each with its own entrance and bay window; regular fenestration, stone quoins, elaborate arched large stone scroll brackets; connected to another building at E end of S wing. Late Gothic Revival. One of first 2 buildings on University of Florida campus.

According to a press release at the time Thomas Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places, popular campus folklore included the story of the ghost of “old Steve” who haunts Murphree Area. “Old Steve” was the head cook on campus in 1906. His kitchen was beneath the classrooms and library in the center section of Thomas Hall. His luncheon preparations disrupted campus and included shouting and cursing at his kitchen crew, the banging of pots and pans, the hissing of steam, and the crackling of fire as lunch was prepared–sounds heard every fall when the steam heating system is turned on in Murphree Area halls.

The electrical demands of today's students were draining the available power and causing circuit overloads and thrown breakers. In 2000, a four-year $2.5 million electrical service upgrade project was initiated in the Murphree Area that will provide a minimum of one 20 amp circuit per student when completed. The upgrade includes total rewiring of the facilities from transformers to each outlet and switch and a new 23,000 volt primary distribution switch. Prior to the upgrade, on average four to six residents were sharing a 15 amp service. Providing a minimum of one 20 amp circuit per student -- 40 amps per double room -- should prove to more than adequately address the present and future electrical needs of residents as most small apartments operate on 50 amp service.

In 2002, a $500,000 project was initiated to landscape the historic areas of campus including the Murphree Area Courtyard and the area fronting University Avenue. Students from the landscape architecture department were invited to submit input. A gift of $250,000 from UF alumni Herb and Catherine Yardley from Ft. Lauderdale was the catalyst for the project; the University matched the funds. The proposed design includes sidewalks, new landscaping plants and design, walls, seating areas, and other focal points.

Thomas Hall is part of Murphree Area. Murphree Area was the last male residence area designated coed in 1972. Thomas Hall is presently coed by sections. Occupancy is 170 residents in this non air-conditioned facility. Plan A Visitation (restricted visitation) special housing areas for men and women are located in Thomas Hall in Section D and J, respectively.

From A History of UF Residence Halls (Revised 2nd Edition)

<< Back