Waddel Hall

 building  Add category

 Upload a photo

Completed 1821. Second oldest building on campus. Finished in the Federal style of architecture, with little in the way of embellishments or adornments. Originally known as Philosophical Hall. Renamed Waddel Hall in the 1950s in honor of Moses Waddel, president of UGA from 1819 – 1829. Like most buildings on North Campus, Waddel has served in many roles, including classrooms, library, gymnasium, and dormitory.

Scene of a gruesome murder-suicide the night of January 29-30, 1918. Non-students Jamie Johnson and his girlfriend Belle Hill of nearby Jefferson, GA asked to spend the night in the dorm room of students Tom Holliday, Howard Dadisman and Alva Pendergrass. Permission was given despite strict orders against opposite-sex members being in the dorms at all, especially at night. At around 3:00am in the morning, Johnson awoke and composed a letter to his mother. Then, without any warning, he produced a pistol and shot the sleeping Hill in the heart, then turned the weapon on himself, shooting himself twice in the chest. The letter to his mother revealed no apparent reason or other explanation for his actions. Rumors were rampant in the post-shooting investigation that Hill had been pregnant with Johnson’s illegitimate child, but this theory was never proven.

www.law.uga.edu/academics/profiles/dwilkes_more/his12_t...