People often say you can’t know your future without knowing your past. And the same can be said for the future of an academic institution continuing to shape future generations. But, as students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University of Toledo, how well do we know its history? This series, entitled #RocketBlastFromThePast, was started by Juice House as a social media series to discover our shared legacy as Toledo Rockets by diving into the digital archives of the Canaday Center and sharing interesting tidbits and fun facts of UToledo’s rich history that encourages a sense of pride in our institution. Now brought to you as a collection, it’s more than a trip down memory lane; it’s an exploration and transportation from the past to the present, with a vision and inspiration guiding us into a bright future and beyond.
In the collection below, tap on each card to reveal a historical fact. To read the full version originally posted on social media, click the hyperlink within each caption.
This series is continuing to grow! To stay up to date with new posts in this social media series, follow Juice House at @juicehousetoledo.
The University of Toledo was founded in 1872 by Jesup W. Scott, an editor for The Toledo Blade. From its beginning, the school faced a bumpy road to become what it is today, and multiple times experienced closing and reopening, moving locations and changing its name. It wasn't until 1914 when it became a baccalaureate degree-granting institution as Toledo University. In 1931, the University moved to its current location on Bancroft Street, and it wasn't until 1967 that the University officially became the University of Toledo. Click here to read the full version.
The University of Toledo was founded in 1872 by Jesup W. Scott, an editor for The Toledo Blade. From its beginning, the school faced a bumpy road to become what it is today, and multiple times experienced closing and reopening, moving locations and changing its name. It wasn't until 1914 when it became a baccalaureate degree-granting institution as Toledo University. In 1931, the University moved to its current location on Bancroft Street, and it wasn't until 1967 that the University officially became the University of Toledo. Click here to read the full version.
University Hall was the first building established on Main Campus with its iconic 206-foot tall bell tower. Built in the Collegiate Gothic style, President Dr. Henry Doermann wanted to encourage students to pursue the value of education by patterning the building after great European institutions. True to this day, UHall remains the face of the University and the values it represents. Click here to read the full version.
University Hall was the first building established on Main Campus with its iconic 206-foot tall bell tower. Built in the Collegiate Gothic style, President Dr. Henry Doermann wanted to encourage students to pursue the value of education by patterning the building after great European institutions. True to this day, UHall remains the face of the University and the values it represents. Click here to read the full version.
The Spirits and Traditions Committee under Student Government created Rocky the Rocket as the University’s mascot. He first appeared in football and basketball games in 1968 — although he looked much different then. His helmet was originally made of a wastepaper basket with a papier-mâché pointed top! Over the next four decades, Rocky received numerous fashion upgrades. The Rocky we know and love today was introduced in 2008, and has remained unchanged ever since. Click here to read the full version.
The Spirits and Traditions Committee under Student Government created Rocky the Rocket as the University’s mascot. He first appeared in football and basketball games in 1968 — although he looked much different then. His helmet was originally made of a wastepaper basket with a papier-mâché pointed top! Over the next four decades, Rocky received numerous fashion upgrades. The Rocky we know and love today was introduced in 2008, and has remained unchanged ever since. Click here to read the full version.
The Glass Bowl Stadium was completed in 1937, with a team of 300 workers who manually excavated over 13,000 square yards of soil from campus to clear a space for its construction. While originally named University Stadium, it was renamed the Glass Bowl after WWII. An idea was proposed to renovate the stadium using glass and being Toledo's leading industry, its new look and new name became a tribute to the city's namesake. Click here to read the full version.
The Glass Bowl Stadium was completed in 1937, with a team of 300 workers who manually excavated over 13,000 square yards of soil from campus to clear a space for its construction. While originally named University Stadium, it was renamed the Glass Bowl after WWII. An idea was proposed to renovate the stadium using glass and being Toledo's leading industry, its new look and new name became a tribute to the city's namesake. Click here to read the full version.
Memorial Field House was the former home of UToledo's basketball team, a building which also hosted powerful political figures and musicians of legendary skill. Although built as a sports venue, it would see musical performances from The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel and many others, as well as a speech by President Richard Nixon. Click here to read the full version.
Memorial Field House was the former home of UToledo's basketball team, a building which also hosted powerful political figures and musicians of legendary skill. Although built as a sports venue, it would see musical performances from The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel and many others, as well as a speech by President Richard Nixon. Click here to read the full version.
Parks Tower is the tallest building on campus. Standing seven feet taller than the bell tower at University Hall, this 16-story building is the largest residence hall on campus and was the first coed dorm when it opened in 1971. Throughout the years, it has been home to thousands of first-year students and where many lasting friendships and memories were made. Click here to read the full version.
Parks Tower is the tallest building on campus. Standing seven feet taller than the bell tower at University Hall, this 16-story building is the largest residence hall on campus and was the first coed dorm when it opened in 1971. Throughout the years, it has been home to thousands of first-year students and where many lasting friendships and memories were made. Click here to read the full version.
The Carlson Library was named after UToledo's tenth president, Dr. William S. Carlson, who served the longest term of any other president at the University. Its construction began in 1972 and was one of the University's grandest and most costly endeavors. Click here to read the full version.
The Carlson Library was named after UToledo's tenth president, Dr. William S. Carlson, who served the longest term of any other president at the University. Its construction began in 1972 and was one of the University's grandest and most costly endeavors. Click here to read the full version.
The Ritter Planetarium-Observatory was built in 1967 and named after generous donor, George Ritter, a prominent Toledo lawyer. Its most renowned feature is a one-meter Ritchey-Chretien telescope and is one of the largest telescopes east of the Mississippi River! The telescope's original lens was donated to the University of Toledo by Owens-Illinois, a leading glass manufacturing company in Toledo. At the time, it was the largest of its kind and is still being used today. Click here to read the full version.
The Ritter Planetarium-Observatory was built in 1967 and named after generous donor, George Ritter, a prominent Toledo lawyer. Its most renowned feature is a one-meter Ritchey-Chretien telescope and is one of the largest telescopes east of the Mississippi River! The telescope's original lens was donated to the University of Toledo by Owens-Illinois, a leading glass manufacturing company in Toledo. At the time, it was the largest of its kind and is still being used today. Click here to read the full version.
Centennial Mall was designed to beautify UToledo's campus for its 100th anniversary. The layout of its pathways are credited to geography students who, in 1978 — the year of a monumental blizzard — sat atop the bell tower and studied the natural walking paths of students as they left tracks in the snow. Click here to read the full version.
Centennial Mall was designed to beautify UToledo's campus for its 100th anniversary. The layout of its pathways are credited to geography students who, in 1978 — the year of a monumental blizzard — sat atop the bell tower and studied the natural walking paths of students as they left tracks in the snow. Click here to read the full version.
The Spirit Rock is a symbol of school pride that dates back to 1968. This boulder was donated by Nicholson Concrete and Supply Co., and served as a platform for students to celebrate their school spirit and bring awareness to important social issues. Prior to its current location in the Flatlands, it laid between the Student Union and Carlson Library. Click here to read the full version.
The Spirit Rock is a symbol of school pride that dates back to 1968. This boulder was donated by Nicholson Concrete and Supply Co., and served as a platform for students to celebrate their school spirit and bring awareness to important social issues. Prior to its current location in the Flatlands, it laid between the Student Union and Carlson Library. Click here to read the full version.
Gillham Hall began as the home of UToledo's library and College of Law. Its name is in honor of Mary Gillham, who formally served as the head of the library. Mary worked as a UToledo librarian for over 40 years, beginning when she was a student in 1921 up through the 1960s. Click here to read the full version.
Gillham Hall began as the home of UToledo's library and College of Law. Its name is in honor of Mary Gillham, who formally served as the head of the library. Mary worked as a UToledo librarian for over 40 years, beginning when she was a student in 1921 up through the 1960s. Click here to read the full version.
For decades, the University of Toledo welcomed its newest freshman class with two annual traditions: Welcome Week and Freshman Camp. Historically, Welcome Week had only been a cursory introduction to college life, but later evolved to include many campus events that turned it into the Rocket tradition we know today. At Freshman Camp, upperclassmen served as counselors, passing on the legacy of making new students' initiation to UToledo as memorable as their own had been. Click here to read the full version.
For decades, the University of Toledo welcomed its newest freshman class with two annual traditions: Welcome Week and Freshman Camp. Historically, Welcome Week had only been a cursory introduction to college life, but later evolved to include many campus events that turned it into the Rocket tradition we know today. At Freshman Camp, upperclassmen served as counselors, passing on the legacy of making new students' initiation to UToledo as memorable as their own had been. Click here to read the full version.
Before the Health Science Campus was owned by the University of Toledo, it was owned and operated by the Medical College of Ohio since its inception in 1964. Founded during a time when the country was short of doctors and desperate for more institutions to train them, MCO answered the call to educate healthcare professionals for the greater Toledo area and beyond, welcoming its first medical students in 1969. In 2006, it merged with the University of Toledo. Click here to read the full version.
Before the Health Science Campus was owned by the University of Toledo, it was owned and operated by the Medical College of Ohio since its inception in 1964. Founded during a time when the country was short of doctors and desperate for more institutions to train them, MCO answered the call to educate healthcare professionals for the greater Toledo area and beyond, welcoming its first medical students in 1969. In 2006, it merged with the University of Toledo. Click here to read the full version.
Did you know that UToledo's Collegiate Gothic style buildings were inspired by the architecture of Princeton University? Much of UToledo's physical appearance is owed to John Noble Richards, dubbed "Mr. Toledo Architect." He designed many buildings on campus, including buildings on the campuses of The Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University. Click here to read the full version.
Did you know that UToledo's Collegiate Gothic style buildings were inspired by the architecture of Princeton University? Much of UToledo's physical appearance is owed to John Noble Richards, dubbed "Mr. Toledo Architect." He designed many buildings on campus, including buildings on the campuses of The Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University. Click here to read the full version.
Homecoming is UToledo's longest-standing campus tradition. The first Homecoming game was held in October 1923 against Bowling Green State Normal College (aka BGSU), and many of the activities we enjoy today, such as attending the football game, watching the parade and crowning a king and queen, have been part of this tradition for decades. Click here to read the full version.
Homecoming is UToledo's longest-standing campus tradition. The first Homecoming game was held in October 1923 against Bowling Green State Normal College (aka BGSU), and many of the activities we enjoy today, such as attending the football game, watching the parade and crowning a king and queen, have been part of this tradition for decades. Click here to read the full version.
Presidents Hall’s name was given in remembrance of the University's most significant presidents of the past. Formally called the Crossings, it was renamed Presidents Hall in 2014, and each of its four wings were attributed to presidents Dowd (the 4th president), Nash (the 7th), White (the 8th), and Johnson (the 15th). Click here to read the full version.
Presidents Hall’s name was given in remembrance of the University's most significant presidents of the past. Formally called the Crossings, it was renamed Presidents Hall in 2014, and each of its four wings were attributed to presidents Dowd (the 4th president), Nash (the 7th), White (the 8th), and Johnson (the 15th). Click here to read the full version.
An unexplainable fire overtook University Hall in May of 1959. A student who had been walking by a physics lab on the fifth floor happened to notice the blaze and sounded the alarm. The flames grew to such an extent that 50 off-duty firefighters were called in to help extinguish it. The fire drew a crowd of over 2,000 onlookers who had packed in all along Bancroft Street to observe the scene. Click here to read the full version.
An unexplainable fire overtook University Hall in May of 1959. A student who had been walking by a physics lab on the fifth floor happened to notice the blaze and sounded the alarm. The flames grew to such an extent that 50 off-duty firefighters were called in to help extinguish it. The fire drew a crowd of over 2,000 onlookers who had packed in all along Bancroft Street to observe the scene. Click here to read the full version.
Prior to the existence of the University Parks Trail that cuts through campus, were train tracks part of the Toledo, Angola & Western Railroad line. When the Railroad decided to sell the property, it became a rails to trails conversion project. During construction, the community was so eager for the path to be completed, that some began using it before it was finished, traveling along its unpaved sections. Click here to read the full version.
Prior to the existence of the University Parks Trail that cuts through campus, were train tracks part of the Toledo, Angola & Western Railroad line. When the Railroad decided to sell the property, it became a rails to trails conversion project. During construction, the community was so eager for the path to be completed, that some began using it before it was finished, traveling along its unpaved sections. Click here to read the full version.