Built in 1890, East Dormitory was the first dormitory and the second building ever to be built on the Elon College campus. East Dormitory was a three story brick veneer building measuring 40 feet by 60 feet with a wooden interior and a one story annex containing a kitchen, ‘shower baths,’ and toilets. Fondly termed ‘Old East,’ the dormitory originally served as women’s housing until 1905-1906 when West Dormitory was completed. At that time, Old East became an all male dormitory. The dormitory was built east of the Administration Building and stood between the Duke Science Building and the present Smith Dormitory. As the last original building on the historic Elon College campus, East Dormitory was destroyed by fire on July 4, 1966 along with $125,000 worth of science equipment that was being stored there while Duke was being renovated.
