Colorado College - Nugget Yearbook (Colorado Springs, CO)

Page 17 text:

without begging it he entered upon a land scheme which, when viewed in the light of present day business ventures, was exceedingly farsighted and prospectively profitable, but which, on account of a lack of sufficient funds fell through and brought untold comment upon his shoulders which was altogether un- deserved. His plan was to buy all land in Colorado Springs townsite north of Columbia Street. Erection of First Stone Building The work of the erection of the first stone building of the College was begun in the summer of 1877 and was six years before the building now known as Cutler Hall was entirely completed. During the year 1878 the building committee was in a pitiable plight; $2,000 was due mechanics and as much more was needed for walls and roof. The money was finally raised and the building was made ready for use January 5, 1880. The design of the building was at that time said to be so attractive that it would maintain itself with College halls to be rected in later years. Mr Henry Austin of Chicago sent a bell for the belfry and the wingless building was outwardly complete. On January 13, 1881, President Tenney interviewed General Palmer concerning the addition of the wings to Cutler, and as a result, the wings were completed May 1882, and that year the building was dedicated and called Cutler Academy. In 1880 the late Professor William Strieby became Pro- fessor of Chemistry, and the present Chemistry Department is a monument to his training, his faithfulness and his sacrifices. Among Colorado College workers, there is one name never to be forgotten, the name of Professor Geo. N. Marden. In 1881 we find him as Professor of Political Economy and History and later as financial agent and treasurer. Through his earnest efforts over a quarter of a million dollars was secured for Colo- rado College. The greatest work of his life, however, was securing a President of the College, in the person of Dr. Fred- erick Slocum. President Tenney retired in 1885 and between the years 1885 and 1888, the College was administered by an executive WHEN CUTLER WAS FIRST BUILT THE WAY THE CAMPUS HAS LOOKED 13

Page 16 text:

ALTHOUGH Colorado College is strictly non-sectarian and independent of all ecclesiastical control, its early history shows the influence of the Congregational Church. The foundation of Colorado College was first actively undertaken by the Congregational Association in 1873, due to a proposal of Rev. Edward P. Tenney, who realized the need for educational facilities under Christian auspices. The first active work of the association was prompted by Professor Thomas Haskell, the practical founder of the College, who entered into the foundation with great earnestness and acted as financial agent during the establishment. Rev. Jonathan Edwards was in charge at the opening. In May, 1874, the association opened the first classes of Colorado College in the old Wanless building, now the First National Bank building, with an enrollment of twenty pupils. The following September a two-room temporary building was erected opposite the Acacia Park with the enrollment increased to forty students. For four years this building remained the home of Colorado College. By this time the panic of 1873 and the grasshoppers of 1874 had completely paralyzed business and hopes. The cry of those who remained in the territory was money for bread and not mon ey for colleges. President Dough- erty went east at this time to appeal for financial assistance. but after a most earnest effort reported that nothing could be done at present in the way of assisting Colorado College financially, and with the report came his resignation. For the next five years Colorado College existed in the upper story of a building on the North side of Pikes Peak Avenue and at the home of Professor James H. Kerr, where classes in Mining and Metal- lurgy were conducted. Rev. Edward P. Tenney Appointed President in 1876 Through the conscientious efforts of the Ministers of Colorado Springs, and other active workers, the people of New England and New York were always kept informed of the possibilities of Colorado College. Through these constant efforts, Rev. Tenney was sent out from New England to in- vestigate the reported possibilities of the College and upon his favorable report was elected president of the College, assuming his active duties in 1876. President Tenney ' s coming brought new life and hope to the College. His first step was to awaken a permanent interest in Colorado and the territories of the mountains among the people of the East, and especially of New England. For this purpose he issued a pamphlet, entitled The New West. Realizing the need of preparatory schools for a permanent college, he established preparatory schools in the larger towns of the territory and in New Mexico and Utah. President Tenney was an advocate of the highest standards of scholar- ship and was not satisfied with anything below the standards of Harvard and Yale. Tenney, had of course, the problem of finance. For the purpose of securing a large endowment fund 4 — First Building of Colorado College 5 —Cumberland Presbyterian Church 6 — Bijou Street 12

Page 18 text:

1 m J - w £ ' . WILLIAM F. SLOCUM President of Colorado College 1888 1917 committee composed of the faculty, of which Dr. Strieby was the active head. In October 1888, Dr. William Frederick vSlocum came to the College as the new president. Slocum, New President When President Slocum took charge he found a mortgage on the campus and the president ' s home and the first thing he did was to raise the mortgages on this property. Up to date no one has accomplished more for the college in a financial way, and it was during his administration that the College grew from one building and a campus, to the College of today. In 1888 there was no place to house the students, and Cutler Academy possessed all the lecture rooms, laboratories, and administrative offices of the College, with the library and assembly hall. Men ' s Residence Hall In 1889 a residence hall for men was begun which was named Hagerman Hall in honor of J. J. Hagerman, the principal donor. This building cost $27,000 and was equipped with dining hall, reading room, and bed rooms. The College began to advance its standards, and new and able men were added to the faculty, and students came in increasing numbers. First Women ' s Dormitory Until this time no provision had been made for the hous- ing of the women. A movement was started in 1888 which resulted in the building of Montgomery Hall in 1889. The building was so named in honor of Mrs. Slocum ' s sister. It is made of Castle Rock stone, with dining rooms, parlor and a suite of rooms for the matron. Three years later, Henry R. Wolcott of Denver, presented the College with an Astronomical Observatory which was called The Wolcott Observatory in his honor. Light, heat and power were the things now most needed. A building to provide these things was begun in 1900 and with many later improvements has cost nearly $50,000. It now supplies fourteen buildings and is under the supervision of an engineer. 14