Drake Union

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 the Morrill 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. 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. Following the construction, there were plans to build additional structures surrounding Drake Union, but those plans were cancelled. 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.

Current Uses

Drake Union houses the Department of Theatre at Ohio State. The union also offers two working eateries, the James Thurber and Roy Bowen Theatres, and the only provider for the Ohio State University with an on-campus marina. The union once provided Archie's Alley which included bowling alleys, pool tables, and a bar, but closed in 1999 due to low patronage.

References

External links

• Department of Theatre Info on Drake Union