Campus Life

Penn State Harrisburg honors military history with renamed apartments

Penn State Harrisburg's Nittany Village apartments A, B and C will be renamed Falcon, Signal and Talon in honor of the campus’ history as the former site of Olmsted Air Force Base. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — In honor of Penn State Harrisburg’s history as the former site of Olmsted Air Force Base, the campus’ Nittany Village apartments A, B and C will be renamed Falcon, Signal and Talon in time for the fall 2023 semester. 

Olmsted Air Force Base helped provide supplies during military conflicts stretching from World War I through the Vietnam War.  

“I am very pleased that we are honoring Penn State Harrisburg’s history as a former military site and paying tribute to our country’s armed forces,” said Craig Cook, Penn State Harrisburg director of housing and food services. “We look forward to continuing to provide outstanding residential services to students under a new name.” 

Falcon Hall is taken from the base’s history for air-to-air rocket overhaul/testing for the Air Force’s Falcon missile. Signal Hall is named in recognition of the campus as the site of an official Air Corp facility starting in 1922, and as a site under the administration of the Signal Corps until 1939. Talon Hall is named to honor Olmsted Air Force Base as a prime support depot for the T-38 Talon advanced jet trainer beginning in 1958. 

Each residence hall includes 22 apartments, which each include four single bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room, and a full kitchen. Signal Hall also houses a Residence Life office and staff apartment.  

Last Updated August 1, 2023