William James Bryan, who studied law and was appointed US Senator in 1907, is the namesake for Bryan Hall. With battlements along the roof's edge and twin squared towers, the hall appears fortress-like. Yet the low, wide-railed steps that lead to the triple arcade entrance give an inviting appearance. Bryan is the oldest residence hall on campus.

Broward Hall was built for the Florida State College for Women in 1917, and was named after Napoleon Bonaparte Broward who served as Governor of Florida from 1904–1908. Governor Broward was instrumental in passing the Buckman Act which created two state funded colleges, one in Tallahassee and one in Gainesville. Arcades connected Broward to existing buildings so that women could remain indoors when traveling to the dining hall (now the William Johnston Building).

Sarah Lundrum Cawthon was Dean of the College Home for fifteen years. She initiated the Student Government Association at the Florida State College for Women, and was a leader in the expansion of the American Association of University Women. Cawthon Hall was renovated in 2001.

Azalea Hall opened in June 2017. The name Azalea was chosen to reflect the beautiful foliage around campus. The dining venue, 1851, is located on the ground floor of this building.