HIG was built in 1961. The three buildings were called G, H, and I until they were dedicated and named after Herbert F. Hitzeman, Chester Myers, and Frank E. Hurd. The buildings were dedicated in 1990, 1989, and 1990 respectively, but after being called GHI for so long, the letters stuck and were later rearranged so they could be pronounced as a “word”…HIG.

In 2002 the new Thomas E. Eliot House was constructed on the South 40. Known first as "University House," in 2005 the Eliot name was transferred to this new residence house which replaced the older high-rise that had carried this name since 1964.

In 2004, the buildings in HIG and Thomas Eliot joined as one Residential College, hence the name "HIG-E"

About Hitzeman Hall: Originally called Hall "G", Hitzeman was a men's dormitory. Hitzeman is now a suite style building which houses mostly sophomore students. Hitzeman Hall is named after Herbert F. Hitzeman, who retired as Senior Vice Chancellor for Washington University Relations after 24 years of service. Under his direction, the University completed three major fundraising campaigns, and improved alumni development and public relations. Hitzeman died in 2009.

About Hurd Hall: Opened in 1964 as Hall "H," in 1994 the facility was renamed in recognition of a generous bequest by Frank E. Hurd. Born in St. Louis in 1903, Hurd went on to earn his bachelor's degree in 1924 from the Olin School of Business. Following World War II, Hurd was part of the Marshall Plan Group, attempting to bring aid to the war-torn areas of Western Europe. Hurd died in 1989.

About Myers Hall: Built in 1963, Myers was originally named Hall "I" until 1990 when it was renamed in honor of the Myers family. Chester Myers was a prominant St Louis industrialist and philanthropist who died in 1977. Washington University was named in his will as the recipient of $1.5 million in honor of his parents Emanuel and Lillie Myers. The will was held in trust until 1990.

About Thomas Eliot House: Thomas H. Eliot graduated from and taught at Harvard Law School, served a term in the US House of Representatives, and practiced law in Cambridge, MA. He came to the University in 1952 as the chair of the Political Science Department, in which he later taught. He is a distant relative of William Greenleaf Eliot, the University's founder. He served as the University's 12th Chancellor, and held posts in the US Department of Labor, the Social Security Board, and the Interior.