Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Florence State Teachers College
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 28, 2009
1. Florence State Teachers College Marker
Oldest state~supported
teacher college south of Ohio R.
1830 ~ opened as LaGrange College
(Methodist) at nearby Leighton.
First charted college in state.
1855 ~ moved here and re~named
Florence Wesleyan University.
Flourished until closed by war in 1865.
1872 ~ deeded to State by church;
became Florence State Normal School
1926 ~ present name adopted
Erected by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 34° 48.542′ N, 87° 40.725′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker is at the intersection of N. Wood Ave. and Cramer Way on N. Wood Ave.. Located on UNA campus in front of Wesleyan Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Harrison Plaza Florence, AL 35632, Florence AL 35632, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wesleyan Hall 1855 (here, next to this marker); Wesleyan Bell (here, next to this marker); T.S. Stribling Literary Landmark (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); T.S. Stribling 1903
this page online
Also see . . . University of North Alabama. The University of North Alabama (abbreviated UNA) is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university. (Submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Additional commentary.
1.
The University of North Alabama, which celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2005, has undergone numerous sweeping changes in the course of its long history. Originally founded as LaGrange College in 1830, it was reestablished in 1872 as the first state-supported teachers college south of the Ohio River. A year later, it became one of the nation's first coeducational colleges.
— Submitted March 21, 2010, 
by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, July 30, 2009
2. Site of LaGrange College
The College was burned April 28, 1863 by Federal Cavalry commanded by Colonel Florence M Cornyn under General Grandville Dodge.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, March 20, 2010
3. Wesleyan Hall part of Campus UNA
Photographed By Larry Gertner
4. "State Teachers College, Founded 1855, Florence, Ala."
1930s postcard, Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,823 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4. submitted on October 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
