User:Draconrex/Colorado State Normal School

Colorado State Normal School Early Reports in newspapers of a state normal school built west of the divide.

Colorado Territorial Legislation to enact bill for state normal school.

Governors involved in approval and veto of bills. 1885, Gilpin 1901, James B. Orman 1903, Peabody

Other towns vieing for the school in their areas.

Senators and Representatives involved over a period of 25 years. 1885, A. M. Stevenson 1901, C. T, Rawalt

Final approval for legislation enacted and Land donated in the northeast quarter of town. The two buildings built were North Hall for advanced normal school and the elementary building built in west town. The elementary school taught through grade 12.

In the 1880s there were actually two elementary schools built. The Colorado Street School was built by the Masonic Lodge laying the cornerstone on September 1st, 1882. By 1884 there were 107 students. In west town, the Ohio Street School was built at Ohio Street and 12th. It housed 75 students.

The normal school was a teaching academy.

Community involvement in loans to staff and maintain the schools. Fifty Thousand Dollars interest free loans by the residents and businessmen of Gunnison were all paid off within a several year period.

First Class of 1916.

Name changed to Western State College of Gunnison, Colorado.

Name changed to Western State Colorado University, August 1st, 2012, by Governor Approval.

Bibliography

Vandenbusche, Duane. Gunnison Country. Gunnison: B&B Printers, 1980. Wallace, Betty. History with the Hide Off. Denver: Sage Books, 1964, 1965. LCCCN 65-28809 Class of 1916. Colorado State Normal School. Historical Sketches of Early Gunnison 1916.