Greencastle in Putnam County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Indiana Asbury - - DePauw University

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

1. Indiana Asbury - - DePauw University Marker

Inscription.

Indiana Asbury - - DePauw University. . DePauw University was first named Indiana Asbury University. Within two decades after the founding of Greencastle, the Indiana Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church decided that the time had arrived to establish an institution of higher learning in Indiana. In competition with Indianapolis, Lafayette, Madison, Rockville and Putnamville, this small Putnam County town of several hundred inhabitants won the right to be the home of this new University., A pledge of $25,000 to help establish the new school was made by Greencastle citizens, and on January 10, 1837, a charter was granted by the Indiana General Assembly to establish Indiana Asbury University in Greencastle. This name was chosen to honor Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Church, and to indicate that the new institution was a Methodist institution., The first instructor hired was Cyrus Nutt, who was named professor of language and director of the Preparatory School. In 1839 Matthew Simpson was appointed the first president. By 1840 the first class of three students graduated. In 1840 the first university building, known as the Edifice, under construction since 1837, was completed., In 1884, after suffering financial reverses, the University was rescued by gifts from businessman and philanthropist Washington C. DePauw of Madison, Indiana. In grateful appreciation the trustees renamed the institution DePauw University which contains within it, the Asbury College of Liberal Arts., East College is the oldest building on campus. The cornerstone for it was laid on October 30, 1870. With initial contributions of $30,000 from citizens of Greencastle, the building was partially occupied by 1875 and dedicated at commencement in 1877. East College underwent a beautiful renovation and was rededicated in 1981. Today its striking rose-red brick architecture reflects the University’s pride in its distinguished educational heritage. . This historical marker was erected by Heritage Preservation Society. It is in Greencastle in Putnam County Indiana

DePauw University was first named Indiana Asbury University. Within two decades after the founding of Greencastle, the Indiana Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church decided that the time had arrived to establish an institution of higher learning in Indiana. In competition with Indianapolis, Lafayette, Madison, Rockville and Putnamville, this small Putnam County town of several hundred inhabitants won the right to be the home of this new University.

A pledge of $25,000 to help establish the new school was made by Greencastle citizens, and on January 10, 1837, a charter was granted by the Indiana General Assembly to establish Indiana Asbury University in Greencastle. This name was chosen to honor Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Church, and to indicate that the new institution was a Methodist institution.

The first instructor hired was Cyrus Nutt, who was named professor of language and director of the Preparatory School. In 1839 Matthew Simpson was appointed the first president. By 1840 the first class of three students graduated. In 1840 the first university building, known as the Edifice,

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under construction since 1837, was completed.

In 1884, after suffering financial reverses, the University was rescued by gifts from businessman and philanthropist Washington C. DePauw of Madison, Indiana. In grateful appreciation the trustees renamed the institution DePauw University which contains within it, the Asbury College of Liberal Arts.

East College is the oldest building on campus. The cornerstone for it was laid on October 30, 1870. With initial contributions of $30,000 from citizens of Greencastle, the building was partially occupied by 1875 and dedicated at commencement in 1877. East College underwent a beautiful renovation and was rededicated in 1981. Today its striking rose-red brick architecture reflects the University’s pride in its distinguished educational heritage.

Erected by Heritage Preservation Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1837.

Location. 39° 38.633′ N, 86° 51.813′ W. Marker is in Greencastle, Indiana, in Putnam County. Marker is at the intersection of South Vine Street and East Washington Street (U.S. 231), on the right when traveling south on South Vine Street. Located on the "Heritage Wall" in the bottom row - - third from the left end. Touch for map.

Marker Photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

2. Marker Photo

Marker is in this post office area: Greencastle IN 46135, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Minshall Laboratory, DePauw University (here, next to this marker); John Dillinger Was Here (here, next to this marker); Putnamville United Methodist Church (here, next to this marker); The Founding of the Lilly Family in Greencastle, Indiana (here, next to this marker); Donald J. Cook (1915 - 2005) (here, next to this marker); The Founding of Greencastle, Indiana (here, next to this marker); Julian Family Home (here, next to this marker); Abraham Lincoln's Biography (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greencastle.

Also see . . . About DePauw University. Follow the links for many photos and interesting topics. (Submitted on June 16, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

"Heritage Wall" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

3. "Heritage Wall"

Full View - - "Heritage Wall" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

4. Full View - - "Heritage Wall"

Other View - - "Heritage Wall" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

5. Other View - - "Heritage Wall"

Indiana Asbury - DePauw University -and- The Civil War image. Click for full size.

Courtesy:: DePauw University Archives

6. Indiana Asbury - DePauw University -and- The Civil War

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 872 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 16, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.