Historical Campus Tour

Danforth Campus

Wohl Center

Wohl Center is located in the center of the South 40, and serves as a student center, containing a few eating establishments, a store, a lounge, and student mailboxes. The center was dedicated in April of 1960.

David P. Wohl

Wohl was born in August of 1886 in South St. Louis, and was educated until age 14. He started work at Westimer & Schwartz Shoe Co. and became a salesman a few years later. By 20, he was a traveling representative for the eastern manufacturers, with the entire Mid-West in his territory. He later organized Wohl Shoe Co., a manufacturer of women's shoes. His $5,000 investment blossomed into a $33 million business, which was the pioneer of shoe chains, with 228 leased departments and retail stores in the country. His company merged with Brown Shoe Co. when Wohl retired, at which time he became the company's advisor. Before he retired, he was also the Director of Mercantile Trust Co and Mercantile Commerce National Bank. He gave $1 million to Washington University on the condition that it not go toward the construction of a building.

The following are housed inside Wohl Center:

Bear Mart
Bear Necessities
Bear's Den
Center Court
Friedman Lounge