Milton in Rock County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Milton College 1844–1982 / Milton College Historic District
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 12, 2020
1. Milton College Marker
Inscription.
Milton College 1844–1982, also, Milton College Historic District. .
Milton College 1844–1982. Milton College began as a select secondary school on the prairie in 1844 as Du Lac Academy. Joseph Goodrich, founder of the community of Milton, established the Academy in a grout building on the town square. In 1854 it was renamed Milton Academy. Main Hall, opened in 1855, was built on College Street on two acres Goodrich donated. Milton College received its charter in 1867 and transitioned to a liberal arts college open to men and women and known for its outstanding music program, athletic accomplishments, and distinguished public service of many of its teachers. Peak enrollment was 859 students in 1970, but down to 210 at closing. Despite its transformative role in the history of education in Wisconsin, Milton College closed in 1982 after 138 years due to low enrollment, loss of accreditation, and financial difficulties.
Milton College Historic District. The historic core of Milton College is represented in the Milton College National Register Historic District and consists of Main Hall (1855); Goodrich Hall (1857); Whitford Hall (1907); Gymnasium (1909); and Frasier House (1850), which was purchased for President Daland’s residence in 1902 and later functioned as a music studio and administrative office. The College expanded in the 1960s and new campus buildings were constructed south of High Street. After the College closed, the contents of the buildings were sold at auction and eventually each building was sold. Main Hall now serves as a museum of Milton College history. Established very early and enjoying success for over a century, Milton College was one of the most influential centers of education in Wisconsin, with its leaders contributing to the establishment and refinement of the state’s educational systems. . This historical marker was erected in 2019 by Milton College Preservation Society. It is in Milton in Rock County Wisconsin
Milton College
1844–1982
Milton College began as a select secondary school on the prairie in 1844 as Du Lac Academy. Joseph Goodrich, founder of the community of Milton, established the Academy in a grout building on the town square. In 1854 it was renamed Milton Academy. Main Hall, opened in 1855, was built on College Street on two acres Goodrich donated. Milton College received its charter in 1867 and transitioned to a liberal arts college open to men and women and known for its outstanding music program, athletic accomplishments, and distinguished public service of many of its teachers. Peak enrollment was 859 students in 1970, but down to 210 at closing. Despite its transformative role in the history of education in Wisconsin, Milton College closed in 1982 after 138 years due to low enrollment, loss of accreditation, and financial difficulties.
Milton College Historic District
The historic core of Milton College is represented in the Milton College National Register Historic District and consists of Main Hall (1855); Goodrich Hall (1857); Whitford Hall (1907); Gymnasium
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(1909); and Frasier House (1850), which was purchased for President Daland’s residence in 1902 and later functioned as a music studio and administrative office. The College expanded in the 1960s and new campus buildings were constructed south of High Street. After the College closed, the contents of the buildings were sold at auction and eventually each building was sold. Main Hall now serves as a museum of Milton College history. Established very early and enjoying success for over a century, Milton College was one of the most influential centers of education in Wisconsin, with its leaders contributing to the establishment and refinement of the state’s educational systems.
Erected 2019 by Milton College Preservation Society. (Marker Number 582.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 42° 46.386′ N, 88° 56.63′ W. Marker is in Milton, Wisconsin, in Rock County. Marker is on East High Street east of Rogers Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 E High St, Milton WI 53563, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Milton House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Storrs Lake Milton (approx.
3. Milton College 1844–1982 / Milton College Historic District Marker
Photographed By Fitzie Heimdahl, January 1, 1980
4. Milton College 1844–1982/Milton College Historic District Marker
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 12, 2020
5. Milton College Historic District Marker
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, August 12, 2020
6. Milton College Old Main Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2021, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 24, 2021, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on July 5, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
