First State Normal School Marker

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Platteville in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First State Normal School

By Gordon Govier, July 22, 2010

1. First State Normal School Marker

Inscription. Wisconsin's first college devoted wholly to training teachers, the Platteville Normal School, opened here on October 9, 1866, in Rountree Hall, which since 1853 has housed its predecessor, the Platteville Academy. The Academy (1842-1866) had functioned largely as a private high school, preparing students for college and teaching. When in 1865 the legislature authorized the state to establish "normal" schools for the training of teachers, many cities offered proposals. Platteville Academy's trustees provided Rountree Hall, the community raised money, and Platteville Normal School opened with a 5-member faculty and 60 students. Two years later, General Ulysses S. Grant participated in the dedication of a new wing. Rountree Hall became the home of the Wisconsin Mining Trade School in 1907, and the Normal School moved to an adjacent site. In 1925 normal schools were converted to state teachers colleges and empowered to grant bachelor's degrees. In 1959, the Wisconsin State College-Platteville and the Wisconsin Institute of Technology merged and in 1971 became the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Erected 1985 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 276.)

Location. 42° 44.093′ N, 90° 28.872′ W.

First State Normal School Photo, Click for full size

By Gordon Govier, July 22, 2010

2. First State Normal School

Marker is in Platteville, Wisconsin, in Grant County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Elm Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Platteville WI 53818, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Main Street Commercial Historic District Platteville (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); Platteville Started Here (approx. half a mile away); World's Largest M (approx. 4.2 miles away); The First Capitol (approx. 6.4 miles away); Land, Lead, and Politics (approx. 6.4 miles away); Governor Tommy G. Thompson's 1998 Address At Wisconsin's First Capitol (approx. 6.4 miles away); Belmont, Wisconsin Territory, 1836 (approx. 6.5 miles away); 1998 Wisconsin Assembly (approx. 6.5 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Platteville.

By Gordon Govier, July 22, 2010

3. First State Normal School

Credits. This page originally submitted on July 24, 2010, by Gordon Govier of Monona, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 378 times since then. Last updated on July 28, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2010, by Gordon Govier of Monona, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.