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

First State Normal School

Photographed 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

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Historical Society. (Marker Number 276.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 9, 1866.

Location. 42° 44.093′ N, 90° 28.872′ W. Marker is in Platteville, Wisconsin, in Grant County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Elm Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Platteville WI 53818, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Frank Burg House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis & Clark Expedition Member Alexander H. Willard Lived Here

First State Normal School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gordon Govier, July 22, 2010

2. First State Normal School

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Main Street Commercial Historic District Platteville (about 500 feet away); Platteville Carnegie Library (about 600 feet away); Platteville's First Church Building (about 600 feet away); Lincoln's Gettysburg Speech (about 700 feet away); Civic Memorial Building (about 700 feet away); First Congregational Church (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Platteville.

Photographed by Gordon Govier, July 22, 2010

3. First State Normal School

Photographed by Greta Schassler, October 25, 2025

4. First State Normal School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2010, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,395 times since then and 139 times this year. 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 Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on October 25, 2025, by Greta Mulder of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.