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Page 20 text:
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EARLY STRUGGLES Wisconsin has today nine state teachers colleges. They were originally established as normal schools. The first was given to Platteville and the second to Whitewater. Where should the third be placed? That problem was before the Board of Normal School Regents when the Civil War closed. On February 28. 1866, it decided that the school should be placed somewhere in the Fifth Congressional District. A normal school would be a fine thing for any of the communities in the district. The people of Neenah and Menasha were prompt in laying such advantages as they had before the board. The Omro Union sounded an ominous note. Without doubt, it wailed, Oshkosh will make an effort to secure the location of it there. It then raised the question, Why not Omro make an effort to get the school located in their village—Why not. indeed? To secure it requires a certain amount of money. Is Omro able, and if able, will she give? This is the question. An offer of S26.000 in site and material would secure a school to the village. Oshkosh Secures Normal That last statement was over optimistic. Oshkosh offered S35.000 and got the school. The decision, taken by the Board in 1868, narrowed the field but did not end the struggle over the location of the school. Each city ward desiring the school was asked to give good reasons why it should be in that particular locality, for now is the time to urge its convictions upon the regents, and influence them in their decision as much as possible. A site was chosen in the Fifth Ward before the end of the year. The news was reported in the Oshkosh Journal in the following words: We understand the site selected is located in the Fifth Ward on what is known as the Kellogg farm. It is a very loca’.ion, high and dry. It is the very nice location, high and dry. It is the last place we thought of for its location, and must say, therefore, that we were rather disappointed ... in our opinion there were better sites for it. What influence was brought to bear on the Board we know and care not. judgment directed . . . There are probably many with us who were disappointed at the final termination of the Normal School question, but to all such we refer to the language of scripture. My zeal hath consumed me. Disappointment in the Fourth Ward Voters in the Fourth Ward were seriously disappointed. The citizens of the Fifth Ward had not shown sufficient interest in bringing the school to Oshkosh. It was not right that they should carry off the prize. Something was wrong somewhere. An irate resident of the Fourth Ward unburdened himself in a letter to the Oshkosh Northwestern which appeared in the December 17. 1868. issue of that paper. The exact means used, so states the letter. may not here be pointed out in detail, but it is generally believed that liberal inducements were offered, through their agents, by other honorable gentlemen of the west end — such as money, and perhaps, some fat takes , and other political preferments, such as might be at their disposal hereafter. The public should know, the letter continues. that there was undue outside pressure brought to bear upon those having the thing in hand, or the Fifth Ward would never have carried off the prize to which it was so little entitled, either in Oshkosh in 1871 Main Street from the Bridge, 1896
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Page 21 text:
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EARLY STRUGGLES point of desert, or from any superiority of location. This point is self-evident . .. that somebody has sold, and probably somebody has been bought. These were harsh words but once the question was settled controversy soon died down. Interest shifted to the new building to be constructed on the site chosen. In 1869 the Oshkosh Journal took note that The grounds are ample, pleasant, away from the bustle and confusion of the city, and yet near enough for all practical purposes. It will take until winter, probably, to complete the building in all parts, but when it is done, it will be substantial, handsome, and very convenient. Construction of the building proceeded apace. In May. 1870, the Oshkosh Journal reported that the State Normal School building . . . will receive its finishing touches in Auqust, and open for scholars in September. In July the Oshkosh Journal reported the Board of Regents had met and decided that it would not be possible to open the school in Oshkosh this year for want of funds. It was ascertained that after paying the balance due on the building here, and other necessary expenses, there would remain barely enough funds to run the other schools during the current year. It is too bad. but we suppose it can't be helped. School Opens School opened September 19. 1871, with an enrollment of 46 ladies and gentlemen. The State Normal School had become a reality. Before the close of the first academic year the enrollment rose to 158. Oshkosh was fast becoming a modern city. Its twenty-four saw mills gave first place to the lumber industry in the city. Telephones were introduced in 1870. Three years later it was calculated that Oshkosh had eighteen miles of graveled streets, several of which were lighted by gas. There were many wooden planked sidewalks and the city had a population of 14,871. It was stated that the high school was the finest and most complete building in the state, while the State Normal School, the Northern Wisconsin Insane Asylum, and the Opera House, were also conspicuous. The most serious disaster suffered by the State Normal School struck suddenly March 22, 1916. The building built in 1870, and including three wings subsequently added, was destroyed by fire. An account of the fire was the leading story in the Oshkosh Northwestern for that day. It reported that The fire was discovered at about 4:30 o'clock, and is believed to have been burning some time before that. The origin is completely shrouded in mystery. It started under the roof over the auditorium or the mathematics department and broke through into the second floor near the president's office very early . . . There was much salvage from the building, although a considerable portion of that removed was badly damaged . . . While it had long been felt that the building was not only inadequate and steps had been taken to enlarge it. and while the older portions were antiquated and a perfect labyrinth of corridors forming almost a tangled maze, the students loved it as their alma mater. Then as now students could not resist loving the old place. Arch or returning Veterans, 1918 Main Street, 1946
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