Southern Minnesota Normal College
(University of Southern Minnesota)
Austin, Minnesota
1897-1925
E-Travel
The Mower County Transcript--source of the ad (right)--and the Austin Daily Herald covered school events, including a six-part 1967 history by former student Paul Pierce. The 1911 History of Mower County, Minnesota includes a short school history.
History
Southern Minnesota Normal College and Austin College of Commerce was founded by three young teachers—Emory M. Schelde, Charles R. Boostrom, and Ole G. Jackman. The stated goals were to provide a school for “those poor in money, but rich in intellect, and whose early education had been neglected,” “teachers who had little time to prepare for teaching,” and “those who desire a thorough business and shorthand education.”
S.M.N.C. Speech contestants. 1902 image from the Gale Family Library of the Minnesota State Historical Society
Classes began In December of 1897 for thirty students with nine teachers. The college opened with twelve courses of study (see ad above). But courses were added or dropped as founders saw need or lack of interest. By 1909 the emphasis began to shift toward agriculture, manual training, domestic science, civil engineering, telegraphy, and finally auto mechanics.
Numbers quickly swelled. Enrolled passed 100 in the first year, reached 200 by 1899, 400 by 1901, 700 by 1904 and 1.000 by 1911. In the first year, students paid only $3 weekly for room, board and tuition. Enrollment increases were partially fueled by relentless advertising throughout the Upper Midwest.
Despite a tight daily schedule, students enjoyed the usual array of college activities. Newspapers note banquets, excursions, picnics, and parties. By 1902 a Lyre Club provided musical entertainment, giving birth to an orchestra, a band, and a glee club, in addition to graduate recitals. The Star Literary Society fathered regular plays, debates, and rhetorical contests. In 1907 S.M.N.C. had its first annual mock political convention.
In 1913 the school adopted a name change to University of Southern Minnesota, to better reflect "the work of the school."
After World War I, enrollment began to fall. U.S.M. closed after 1925. But alumni gathered for an annual picnic years after the closing.
Bricks and Mortar
Classes began in the renovated Fleck House, a three-story hotel, built in 1872. The top floor became a dormitory for out-of-town students. Since all students boarded at the school, the basement became a kitchen/dining hall. In addition to classrooms, the lower floors had a 200-seat chapel.
The city of Austin provided $15,000 for the construction of a new building with a capacity for 750 students. Dedicated on December 1, 1902, the new building was a three-story brick structure with a mansard roof. The basement contained the library and a study room. The ground floor held two large recitation rooms and offices; Three recitation rooms and the chapel were located on the second floor. The third floor contained more recitation rooms. In 1920 part of the third floor became a center for student social activities.
President Boostrom proudly insisted that the building was a loan from the city rather than a gift. So long as funds were available S.M.N.C. made mortgage payments of $1,000 annually.
After the school closed, the campus and buildings reverted to the city. Around 1930 the main building was razed and the campus became Galloway Park.
Postcard view of the 1902 building. Image from CardCow https://www.cardcow.com/203627/southern-minnesota-normal-college-austin/
Sports
School colors: Green and Pink
S.M.N.C. face two major problems in developing a sports program. First, as President Boostrom later noted, students attended “with the serious purpose in mind of acquiring an education.” Therefore they “applied themselves strenuously to the courses,” succeeding through “hard work and self-denial.” Second, the school’s emphasis on providing a quality education with as little financial demand on its students as possible left little money to support extracurricular programs.
In 1904 newspapers show a baseball game with Pillsbury Academy and a year later with Memorial University. The 1916 team compiled an 8-1 record, losing only to Mankato Commercial College but defeating Waldorf College, Cedar Valley Seminary, Luther Academy, Mason City High School and Mankato Commercial in a return game.
If local newspaper coverage of football is complete, the Normals defeated Austin High School 42-0 in 1911. Set against this win was a 54-9 loss to Pillsbury Academy in 1915. Newspapers noted a game scheduled with the powerful Keewatin Academy of Wisconsin --also in 1915.
Note: Images are used in accordance with their “terms of use” as I understand those terms. Recopying or republishing these images may be restricted or forbidden.