Ohio State University

The second oldest building remaining on The Ohio State University campus, Orton Hall was opened in 1893. It is named after Dr Edward Orton, Sr. who served as Ohio State's first president, OSU Professor of Geology from 1873 to 1899, and Ohio's State Geologist from 1882 until his death in 1899. Orton Hall is built of 40 different Ohio building stones. In the outside walls, these stones are laid in stratigraphic order according to their relative positions in Ohio's bedrock. The only non-indigenous to Ohio stone used is Indiana Limestone to build the front steps. It was chosen because of its high concentration of embedded fossils. The bell tower was dedicated in 1915 and contains 25,000 pounds of bells that can be heard regularly tolling across campus. Encircling the top of the tower are 24 columns with gargoyle-like figures which are restorations of fossil animals.
The second oldest building remaining on The Ohio State University campus, Orton Hall was opened in 1893. It is named after Dr Edward Orton, Sr. who served as Ohio State's first president, OSU Professor of Geology from 1873 to 1899, and Ohio's State Geologist from 1882 until his death in 1899. Orton Hall is built of 40 different Ohio building stones. In the outside walls, these stones are laid in stratigraphic order according to their relative positions in Ohio's bedrock. The only non-indigenous to Ohio stone used is Indiana Limestone to build the front steps. It was chosen because of its high concentration of embedded fossils. The bell tower was dedicated in 1915 and contains 25,000 pounds of bells that can be heard regularly tolling across campus. Encircling the top of the tower are 24 columns with gargoyle-like figures which are restorations of fossil animals.
This pink and white marbled petunia is actually an unintended mutation of what was intended to be a completely pink bloom. The OSU cultivar trials, located at Ohio State University's Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, are conducted each year in order to evaluate ornamental bedding and container plants. The objective of these trials is to observe the performance of new and recently introduced cultivated plant varieties under environmental conditions typical of central Ohio. Despite their stated scientific and economic purposes, the gardens are beautiful to walk through and photograph. Best of all, they're FREE!
A closeup of the bloom of a Dahlia glistening in the aftermath of an afternoon shower The OSU cultivar trials, located at Ohio State University's Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, are conducted each year in order to evaluate ornamental bedding and container plants. The objective of these trials is to observe the performance of new and recently introduced cultivated plant varieties under environmental conditions typical of central Ohio. Despite their stated scientific and economic purposes, the gardens are beautiful to walk through and photograph. Best of all, they're FREE!
Ohio State University

Popular places to visit

Ohio Stadium

Ohio Stadium

5/5(1 review)

Catch an event at Ohio Stadium during your trip to Columbus. Experience the area's lively festivals or attend a sporting event.

Ohio Stadium
Wexner Center for the Arts which includes signage and theatre scenes

Wexner Center for the Arts

Discover a world of new and exciting contemporary art, performance and film at this laboratory for the arts at Ohio State University.

Wexner Center for the Arts
Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens

Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens

Enjoy a stop at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, an entertaining place to visit in Columbus. Experience the area's great live music and acclaimed theatre scene.

Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens
Historic Crew Stadium

Historic Crew Stadium

Catch an event at Historic Crew Stadium during your trip to Columbus. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.

Historic Crew Stadium
Ohio State Fairgrounds

Ohio State Fairgrounds

Enjoy a stop at Ohio State Fairgrounds, an entertaining place to visit in Columbus. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and lively festivals.

Ohio State Fairgrounds
Ohio History Center

Ohio History Center

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Ohio History Center during your trip to Columbus. Experience the area's lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.

Ohio History Center

Top Ohio State University Hotel Deals

The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center

The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center

4 out of 5
2110 Tuttle Park Pl Columbus OH
The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center
Hyatt House Columbus OSU / Short North

Hyatt House Columbus OSU / Short North

3 out of 5
633 WEST 5TH AVENUE Columbus OH
Hyatt House Columbus OSU / Short North
SpringHill Suites Columbus OSU

SpringHill Suites Columbus OSU

3 out of 5
1421 Olentangy River Rd Columbus OH
SpringHill Suites Columbus OSU
Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Columbus-Ohio State University OSU

Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Columbus-Ohio State University OSU

2.5 out of 5
441 Ackerman Road Columbus OH
Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Columbus-Ohio State University OSU
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Columbus OSU

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Columbus OSU

2.5 out of 5
3031 Olentangy River Rd Columbus OH
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Columbus OSU
Centrally Located 6 Bed Unit Near OSU Campus

Centrally Located 6 Bed Unit Near OSU Campus

Columbus OH
Centrally Located 6 Bed Unit Near OSU Campus
Olentangy Motor Inn

Olentangy Motor Inn

2 out of 5
1445 Olentangy River Rd Columbus OH
Olentangy Motor Inn
Cheerful 4-Bedroom- Walking Distance to The Shoe

Cheerful 4-Bedroom- Walking Distance to The Shoe

Columbus OH
Cheerful 4-Bedroom- Walking Distance to The Shoe
Hyatt Place Columbus/OSU

Hyatt Place Columbus/OSU

3 out of 5
795 Yard Street Columbus OH
Hyatt Place Columbus/OSU
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