Upon their opening in the early 1960s, both dorms were regulated to women-only, though each became coed in subsequent years. Each dorm also was home to its own cafeteria, or dining hall. During the 1960s, students enjoyed the art of soapbox car racing by piloting homemade cars down the steep incline outside the building's western entrances.

In 2006, Kirkley underwent internal renovations to house various administrative offices including the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the University Advancement Phonathon and other programs formerly located in the vacated Frels and Wilson buildings. Smith Hall, while maintained as living quarters, was not scheduled for use unless it was needed for an overflow of students. It was accommodating an extra 200 students at the start of the Fall 2006 semester.

A Campus Master Plan update in September 2004 speculated the building would be demolished before the end of the decade [1]. A further update in 2006 indicated the Board of Regents had given approval for its impending demolition [2]. In 2009, it was announced that the building was on the demolition schedule as part of the 2008 Campus Master Plan [3].

This early aerial photo recalls the row of houses that were once on the hill across from the original quadrangle.

Another aerial, this one from the 1962 Alcalde, shows the redeveloped land and Smith Hall before Kirkley was built.

For 40 years, students have lived in this dorm, located conveniently in the heart of campus.