Residence Halls

In 1825 the Board of Trustees authorized the committee on the refectory to contract for the construction of twelve dormitories. These were undoubtedly small, simple, wooden structures as evidenced by the Trustees approving the purchase of one double bedstead and one table for each "cottage". In 1831 rent was set at $5.00 per session. These dormitories were torn down by 1846, when a kitchen was built for the president's house using the "materials of the former dormitories".

Until the 1870's all students who weren't from Danville lodged and boarded in private homes. Following the completion of Old Main in 1872, Old Centre was converted into dormitory space for about forty students of "good character and limited means". While the College Home, as it was called, provided space for some students, most continued to live with Danville families. The lack of college housing created a growing problem as the cost of boarding in private homes continued to raise, and the number of families willing to rent out rooms declined.

In 1892 the Danville Theological Seminary built Breckinridge Hall for the use of its students. The hall provided rooms for about fifty students, and the seminary allowed the college to use the rooms not needed by its own students. After the seminary moved to Louisville in 1901, the college took over the entire residence hall. As originally designed, each student living in Breckinridge had their own bedroom, with two bedrooms opening into a common study. Each room had an open fireplace, and the annual cost of $25 per year covered both room rent and fuel.