Johnston Hall

Johnston Hall is a university building in Gothic Revival style at Marquette University in Milwaukee, featuring brick walls with pointed arches, decorative moldings, and ornamental details. The exterior shapes the campus landscape through its architectural character while housing classrooms, offices, and media facilities inside.

The building was constructed in 1906 thanks to a donation from Robert A. Johnston, a baking industry leader who funded its construction at then-Marquette College. His contribution aimed to address growing student enrollment and classroom needs.

The building houses the J. William & Mary Diederich College of Communication, where students study journalism, media production, and communication daily. The spaces reflect the college's connection to training future journalists and fostering dialogue between faculty and learners.

The building is located on West Wisconsin Avenue on campus and is accessible during weekdays, with hours following the academic calendar. Visitors should note this is an active learning environment, so hallways are busiest during class changes and peak study times.

The building demonstrated its structural strength in 2018 when it withstood a direct collision with a bus with minimal damage. This incident revealed the solid craftsmanship of the original Gothic Revival design and the durability of the historic brick structure.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: 1906

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Made from material: brick

Part of: Marquette University

Address: 1121 West Wisconsin Avenue

GPS coordinates: 43.03838,-87.92677

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:44