Sunday, June 23, 2019

NORTHERN IOWA NORMAL SCHOOL


One of the dreams of the early founders of our community was the establishment of a college in Algona.  Rev. Chauncey Taylor was the first to try when Northwestern College was founded in 1867.  One of its instructors, M. Helen Wooster, left the employ of that college in 1869 and opened Wooster Seminary, which advertised “Especial attention given to those preparing to teach.”  Miss Wooster was later convinced to join a movement to establish a permanent seminary and used her talents to assist in the creation of Algona Seminary and College in 1870 which operated until 1880.  Harvey Ingham wrote a book appropriately called “Algona College” which traced the brief history of that institution of higher learning.

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com
The Normal School pictured with the
GAR Building which maintained a library in one corner

A NORMAL SCHOOL FOR ALGONA

Despite the failures of the earlier schools, another attempt to establish a college began in 1886.  Professor J. C. Gilchrist who had formerly served as president of the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, approached Algona city officials about opening another normal school.  A public meeting at the courthouse was quickly organized for July 14th and was enthusiastically attended.  Professor Gilchrist took the floor and presented his plan for starting a normal school.  His proposition included having the town provide a suitable building and guarantee $1500 per year for his salary.  The presentation was well received and a committee of well-known leaders and businessmen was formed to study the matter further.  It was soon decided to accept the Professor’s proposal.

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com
Professor J. C. Gilchrist

It seems impossible that a proposal for a college could go from idea to actual existence in approximately eight weeks even with an experienced college administrator at its helm.  Gilchrist was determined to make the most of this opportunity, however, and so he wasted no time in hiring instructors Professor C. F. Reed, a graduate of the state agricultural school at Ames; Miss Kate Keith of Fort Dodge; Mrs. W. F. Wolf; and Miss Kate Bernard whose specialty was music.  Opening attendance numbers were estimated at 40 with students from almost every county in this section of the state. 

INTERIM HOUSING

While plans were being made for the construction of a proper building for the school, classes opened that fall in the old Algona College building.  J.J. Wilson had taken possession of the structure in lieu of payment and had moved it downtown to the corner of Nebraska and Dodge streets from its original site in southern Algona.  Mr. Wilson totally refitted it for its new use.  A room near the entrance of the main floor was made into a library where the professor arranged his personal book collection which was touted as being one of the largest and most valuable for school purposes in the northwest.

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com
Algona College building was located at this site
when used by the Normal School.
The site is pictured as it looks today.
The private office of Professor Gilchrest was located to the left of the entrance where the business of the school was conducted and visitors were cordially received. Beyond the library were recitation rooms.  The old hall located on the second floor had contained a stage and scenery during its Algona College days.  They had now been removed so that the room could be used as both a study hall for students and be available for public use.  Fresh wallpaper and new blinds completed the renovation of that area and brand new Burlington desks were added for student comfort.   In addition, the hall now contained a piano that had been kindly furnished by J.J. Wilson. 

An “Inaugural Day” gathering was held September 14, 1886 to honor the formal opening of the Northern Iowa Normal School. The evening was filled with many speeches and musical tributes.  Col. J. M. Comstock delivered the main address which in part stated “I believe that I but voice the sentiment of the entire community when I say that the establishment of the Northern Iowa Normal School at Algona is an event which marks a new era in our history, and one which, as it goes on to its destined success and to state adoption, will grow into an institution that will not only be the pride of our city, but will have a reputation extending over the state and out into the national highways.”

Professor Gilchrist closed his remarks by saying, “Fellow citizens of Algona, you are laying the foundations of such a school today with your own hands and from your own purses.  Those who are engaged upon it—trustees and faculty—are keenly sensible of the responsibilities which they have assumed.  I believe that all are deeply anxious and that only pure motives and unselfish aims control the movement.  There lies before us no ordinary task.  The liabilities of human error are not removed from our path.  We ask forbearances of judgment, we ask friendly counsel and cordial support, we ask that all shall cherish the institution and foster it.”

According to an article published in the Upper Des Moines newspaper on September 29, 1886, some of the subjects taught at the school included geology, chemistry, art, penmanship and the classics.  The reporter had the good fortune of listening in on recitations in grammar, arithmetic and Latin as taught by Professor Gilchrist and one in algebra by Professor Reed.  He also discovered that one class was reading Cicero’s orations.  The public was encouraged to visit the school at any time to sit in on a class to see the merit of the institute’s “great and permanent value to Algona and the northwest.”

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com

PLANS FOR A NEW BUILDING

Plans to construct a building for a permanent home for the Normal School were soon underway.  A location on a hill in what was then the eastern part of the city was chosen and a memorandum of agreement regarding the property was entered into between Asa C. Call and the trustees of the Northern Iowa Normal school.  Judge Call offered to give to the state of Iowa a fairly large plot of land (almost ten acres) for its use on which to locate and maintain a normal school.  However, the contract was subject to several conditions.  If the state of Iowa should fail to officially locate a school on that property by the close of the twenty-second general assembly on or before July 4, 1888, the contract would be null and void and the property would revert back to his ownership.  Further, it was up to the Independent school district of Algona to move a building to the site and have it repaired and ready for use no later than June 1, 1887, and the facility was to be furnished free of rent to the normal school.  

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com
From 1896 Kossuth County Plat Book
showing location of Normal School near
the corner of Lucas and Wooster Streets
The agreement presented several problems.  Getting the state legislature to officially adopt and provide for a state-sanctioned normal school in Algona was a major step in and of itself.  If legislative approval was obtained, an appropriation by the legislature for the operations of the school seemed probable.  However, obtaining funding for buildings and the establishment of a campus was highly unlikely, at least in the same legislative session. 

Placing the burden on the Algona school district of furnishing the building rent free to the college did not seem feasible either.  The district was just completing the construction of Central School and so they were happy to donate the two wings from the former school to the construction project.  Moving them to the site and constructing a center section to join them together would cost several thousand dollars which the district did not have.  Then there was the question as to whether or not the district could legally levy a tax to provide quarters free of rent to any facility other than a public school. 

Many voices rose in opposition to further school taxes for this endeavor and instead spoke in favor of raising private contributions to achieve the relocation of the buildings and the new construction and renovation needed to make them useful.  It was their feeling that the state legislature would look well upon the private fundraising and therefore increase the chances of approval of the normal school as a state institution.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Plans forged ahead and by April of 1887 the two wings of the old public school were moved to the new site which had now been nicknamed “Normal Hill.”  Shortly after their arrival, construction began on the center section which was 14 feet wide.  A square cupola was placed at the top and heavy cornices gave a distinctive look to the building. Because of its location on the hill, the view from the school was one of the most commanding in town, overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com

The division of the rooms were well designed and provided ample room for the needs of the institution.  The entire second story was left as one large hall which measured 81 feet long by 32 feet wide.  The area would comfortably seat 300 students.  The room was used for morning gatherings, as a study room and also for public meetings and programs. 

On the main floor two recitation rooms occupied the entire north half of the building, each room measuring 40 by 16 feet.  The south half was divided into a library on the west; a cloak room, vestibule and stairs in the center; and Professor Gilchrist’s office and a small recitation room on the east.  Coal sheds, outhouses, and sidewalks were added prior to opening day.

In early July of 1887, the school board inspected and accepted the condition of the building.  The cost of entire project came in at $1,686 which was below the $2000 appropriation that had been approved by the voters.

THE DOORS OPEN

When the new term convened, everything was ready.  The contents of the library, seats that were used in the College hall and all supplies had been transported to the new site and arranged.  Blackboards had been installed and the building completely cleaned.  Enrollment was around 80 students with an expectation of more than 100 by mid-term.

In addition to offering Bachelor of Scientific Didactics or Bachelor of Didatics degrees, the school also taught a commercial course from three to five in the evening in the essentials of business including shorthand and typewriting.

Curricula for the degree programs included mathematics, geometry, spherical trigonometry, geology, physical geography, English literature, Latin, German, and much more.  Each semester, the school would present a literary and musical production.  Students would perform orations and recitations such as “Shooting and Fixed Stars” or “How the Earth was regarded by the Ancients” along with vocal and instrumental music numbers.  The programs would often include readings from the school’s Literary or Shakespearean Societies.  

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com
The newspaper published by
students of the school.

In March of 1888 thirty-two young ladies who were students at the Normal school gave a presentation in gymnastics set to music.  Four forms of drill were presented—marches, free hand, Indian club, and wand exercises—performed in full gymnastics costume to great applause from a crowded house.  The group had been training for some time and wanted to raise money to purchase more equipment to expand the program.  The community had never before observed such a program and it was the topic of conversation for days.

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com

STATE ACCREDITATION DENIED

Great energy was extended to obtain legislative approval for the school.  After efforts failed in 1888, a delegation of local men again went to the capitol in 1890 to plead with legislators to make it a State institution, but it was to no avail.  Local representative C.L. Lund missed the vital vote because he had been told the bill would not be up for vote until the afternoon, so he was not present at the morning session when it came up on the roster.  Would his vote have saved the day?  We don’t know but the failure to pass the important legislation was the last straw for the discouraged Professor Gilchrest who resigned and took a faculty position with Morningside College.

The school struggled along for a few more years under the guidance of various administrators, but then closed in August of 1897.  Coincidently, its founder, J. C. Gilchrist, also passed from this life just a few days after what would be the final closing exercises were held at the Normal school.  He had spent the remainder of his working life at Morningside College, with the exception of returning to Algona for a brief time to serve as principal after the sudden death of public school administrator Professor Dixon.  His obituary in the Upper Des Moines opined, “Prof. Gilchrist was a strong man.  He did not possess the tact and all-round knowledge of the world to use his strength advantageously.  He had friction where it was unnecessary.  Countless worries fretted him that he should have known how to throw off.  But with all he was a strong man, and one who has left his mark on the educational work of Iowa.  He never lost interest in his Algona project, and from his bed of sickness anxiously awaiting the end he wrote a letter to The Upper Des Moines urging Algona to stand by the normal school.”

The Normal school building would serve the community in one additional capacity before its demise.  By this time Central School had already been outgrown and a new structure which would be known as Bryant School was under construction for use as a new high school.  For a brief time during construction of the new facility, high school classes were moved to the Normal school building and its halls were filled once again with the noise and activity of students.

In 1902 the Algona Independent School district sold the building to A. L. Belton who sold the center and east wing to John Peterson who tore them down to use the lumber for building his own residence.  Belton’s intention was to convert the west wing into an egg packing and poultry house.  However by April of 1903 the last remains of the old normal school had been removed and the foundation stones hauled away, leaving Normal Hill empty and bare—but not for long.  Houses filled with families would soon decorate the hill where a proud educational institution had once stood. 

Northern Iowa Normal School-kossuthhistorybuff.blogspot.com
Normal Hill today

It does make one stop and wonder—what would Algona look like today had the Northern Iowa Normal School been successful?

Until next time,

Jean


If you enjoyed this post, please don’t forget to “like” and SHARE to Facebook.  Not a Facebook user?  Sign up with your email address in the box on the right to have each post sent directly to you.

Be sure to visit the KCHB Facebook page for more interesting info about the history of Kossuth County, Iowa.

Reminder:  The posts on Kossuth County History Buff are ©2015-19 by Jean Kramer.  Please use the FB “share” feature instead of cutting/pasting.

No comments:

Post a Comment