In 1887, construction began on a dormitory and gym for boys in Newberg for the Friends Pacific Academy, which became Pacific College in 1891.[2] The then two-story building was completed that year and Herbert Hoover is believed to have then lived there for a few months into 1888.[2] In 1892, the structure was moved ten blocks to its current location on the campus of what is now George Fox University by a house mover named Mr. Clark.[2][3] After the move a third floor was added with the addition of a daylight basement, and the entire hall was then used as a dormitory for women.[2]
In 1939, known then as Kanyon Hall, it was renovated under the guidance of Donald W. Edmundson, Harlan Jones, and Laurence Skene.[2] In 1962, the residence hall was converted into classroom space in a renovation led by Donald H. Lindren.[2] In 1992, the school restored the upper floor with lighting and woodwork reminiscent of the original 1887 structure,[4] and the following year, 1993, the Spring Break Quake knocked the chimney over and knocked plaster off the walls.[5] Now Minthorn Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1997.[1]
The hall is named for Henry John and Laura Minthorn, early supporters of the college and Hoover's aunt and uncle.[2] The family home, Hoover-Minthorn House, is also on the NRHP.[1] Offices for faculty and a student center were added in 2004 to the oldest building on campus.[2] In 2008, four students hung a cardboard cutout of Barack Obama in the tree outside the hall.[6] The hanging of the then Democratic Party Presidential nominee's effigy led to the suspension of the students and other sanctions.[6]