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  Dakota State University Timeline
 


Historical Calendar of Dakota State University  (1881-present)
compiled by Bonnie Olson from several timelines, calendars and college/university archival materials.

Choose a time period or scroll down to follow timeline.
1881-1885  1886-1890  1891-1895  1896-1900  1901-1906
1907-1910  1911-1915  1916-1920  1921-1925  1926-1930
1931-1935  1936-1940  1941-1945  1946-1950  1951-1955
1956-1960  1961-1965  1966-1970  1971-1975  1976-1980
1981-1985  1986-1990  1991-1995  1996-2000  2001-2009

 

1881-1885

 

1881                On March 5, the Territorial Legislative assembly  passed the Normal Bill, establishing a school at Madison, in Dakota Territory.  It was referred to as Dakota Normal School, Madison State Normal or State Normal but most commonly  known as Madison State Normal School.  

                            One hundred sixty acres, one mile east of Madison, were turned over to the Territory for the Normal School, but the site was considered too far away.

                             Mr. Charles B. Kennedy offered 20 acres of land on the north edge of Madison,  at the end of Egan Avenue.  This site was selected for the school.  The deed stipulated that if the land were ever used for anything but for the original intent (a teachers preparation institution) or discontinued, the site would be returned to the Kennedy estate.

            C. B. Kennedy & family 

 

1882                The Legislature sold the original 160 acres of land as it was considered to be too far from the village of Madison.  The proceeds were to be used for construction of first college buildings within the confines of Madison.

 

1883                On December 5, eleven students enrolled with Professor Charles S. Richardson as the first President (1883-1887).  He came from Waterville, Maine.  Tuition was free for students agreeing to teach in Dakota Territory for at least two years after graduation.  Book rental was $0.25 per book for the year.  Room and board in private homes was approximately $3.00 per week.  Classes were held in the public buildings.  Plans were drawn by architect Edward S. Steffens, of Minneapolis, for a wooden frame structure 50 x 70 feet.     

 

1884                Appropriations secured and construction began on the first college building, a 50' x 70', three story, wood-frame structure included a half-basement.  Enrollment was up to 70.  Professor E.H. Evenson, graduate of University of Wisconsin, was the second teacher hired.  $13,600 was spent for final stages of construction on the original building.  Few people were living in the state, few roads, no telephone, electricity, radios or automobiles.  Travel at that time was train or horse and buggy.

 

1885                November 2, the school moved into new wooden building with 107 students.  The Normal School's first graduating class had 2 students.  Model School was established for practice teaching; one of the first laboratory schools in the nation.  The Normal was the first state college for preparation of teachers in the Dakota Territory.              

 

1886-1890          choose a different time period

 

1886               Winter term began with 107 students.  Normal School building burned to the ground on February 4th with complete destruction, only three months after completion, with the exception of a few books belonging to President Richardson.

                

                          The City of Madison issued bonds for $25,000 to build a dormitory and rebuild classroom buildings.  The Legislature appropriated $35,000 to repay $25,000 in bonds bought by Madison citizens and the balance to finish the building.  Classes were held in various rooms downtown including the Court House during the building process. 

                           The classroom building was rebuilt of granite during following months and opened in September of 1886.  W.L. Dow of Sioux Falls was the architect.  Edwin G. Carter of Sioux Falls was awarded the construction contract.  Normal building was named West Wing (later called the Model School and yet later called Beadle Hall). This building was placed on the same exact site of the building that burned. Construction of Dell Rapids Granite, Milwaukee pressed brick & LaCrosse white-cut stone, 76' x 84' housed four levels including the basement.  It was finished in oak and Georgia pine. The carved staircase in the center of the building led from the first floor to the third. Used the Haxtan Heating System. The Library & Presidents Office were housed here. 

                          The Model School was set-up in the basement.  There were three grades in the Model School: Primary, Intermediate and Grammar. 

                           The Normal Department had 124 students and 8 faculty.  Every student entering Normal Department had to do a definite amount of teaching in the Model School. 

                          The Normal Department consisted of the Elementary Course which required three years of work above the 8th grade.  Advanced courses included four years of study.

North Harth - view of West Wing

                        The citizens of Madison finished building the West Hall (Old Dormitory) .  John Buckley was the contractor. It was built on the southwest part of campus at a cost of $8000.  It was a 36'x86' brick building, 4 stories high and accommodated 70 students.  The rate for room & board was $2.75 per week. It had a kitchen and dining hall in the basement.  Visiting in the halls was prohibited as it was one of the dormitory rules. It housed women students in the early years.

 

1887               William F. Gorrie was Second President (1887-1889).  He was born in Salem, New York in 1842.  He died in 1903.

                        In April, 400 trees were  planted on campus celebrating Arbor Day.  A windmill & tank were added to the campus grounds. No provision for care of the trees was made.

                         The Agassiz Association (Science Club) was organized.  This was a study & observation of natural objects.

                                  Broom Drill

1888                Enrollment of 238 students, it was very crowded in West Wing (later called Beadle Hall).  Two desks were put together to accommodate three students.  The Commercial  Department (business training) was introduced. It was housed on the third floor with large rooms and well lighted with a skylight.

                                  Class of 1888

 

1889               William F. Gorrie resigned and submitted his resignation. South Dakota gained statehood in February.  All state institutions are placed under Board of Regents.  General William Henry Harrison Beadle became Third President (1889-1905). 

                      The library housed 1000 volumes.  There were 191 students in the Normal Department.  And 80 students were in the Model School Department. 

                                                

1890                Tuition was $2.25 per semester (19 weeks).    Room & Board was $5.00. Entering students were supposed to be 16 yrs. old – although some entered at 14.  They were required to pass a rigid entrance exam. Students entered directly from the grammer school and took a 3-yr. course leading to a teaching certificate & a diploma – this was called the "Elementary Course".  At this time, only ladies would be allowed to live in West Hall.

 

1891-1895          choose a different time period

 

1892                In November, The Oyaka , a monthly paper  published by the college students was first published.  The name was derived from the Lakota meaning 'messenger or herald'.

                         The Students' Christian Association was organized.  Meetings were held weekly on Wednesday evenings.

 

1893                Commencement Class of 1893 gave up commencement plans for a memorial service for William E. Hammer & Gay Pye, deceased members of their class.  On the eve of commencement week they both drowned. Mr. Hammer was editor-in-chief & founder of the The Oyaka.

 

1895                The 1893-94 catalog stated that the three-year Elementary Course was extended to four years and the first year Elementary courses will be extended to one and half yrs. of attendance.

 

1896-1900          choose a different time period

 

1897-1898       2,000 trees were planted on campus by townspeople - mostly ash & elm. Provisions were made for the care and watering of the trees.  The first summer school session consisting of eight weeks was introduced.

1898 Drawing Class in front of Beadle Hall

 

                                    1898 Graduating Class

                          Art Marsland was the mail carrier and custodian  

              

1898-99          Original heating plant erected at a cost of $4,000.

 

                     The building of  a new dormitory building had commenced at an expense of about $30,000.

                                                     

                                                           Class of 1899

 

1900               State Normal was continuing to grow. Tuition was raised to $6.00 per semester, total cost of tuition, room & board &  book fees was now $116.90 for a 9-month period.

 

1901-1906          choose a different time period

 

1901             Ladies Hall (East Hall) was built and was ready for use in the fall.  It served as a dormitory for women including kitchen and laundry.  This building was made out of Sioux Falls Granite.  It consisted of 43 rooms for students, and a bathroom on each floor besides two parlors, a reception room and a reading room.  In the basement was the student's dining room with seating capacity of over 100.  It also housed a laboratory for the Science Department.  East Hall was heated by steam & lighted with incandescent electric lamps.

                          The East Hall Boarding Club was started.  This was a self-governing club, largely making and executing their own laws for the dormitory.

                          West Hall Dormitory was now used exclusively for male students.  President Beadle on year's sick leave to regain his health.  Professor William W. Girton selected as Acting President (1901-1902).  Legislature appropriates money for construction of East Wing (later called Kennedy Hall).

 

1902                 President Beadle returns as President.  This was the first graduating class to wear cap and gowns.  The school Name changes to Madison State Normal SchoolThis was the first mid-winter (January) Commencement, having 17 graduates.

                            The Science Club was started, they met every two weeks.

 

1902-03             The  first Girls Basketball game, it was with Brookings College with a win.  They had two teams - the Reds and the Orangites.

 

1903                 Madison State Normal School Band is organized.  Electric light plant is installed north of West Wing (later Beadle Hall) . A Tennis Association was organized in the fall semester, although this was not the first time tennis was played on campus.  The 40 members were furnished with tennis outfits and had three well-equipped courts.

 

1904                East Wing (later called Kennedy Hall) was constructed.  Mr. Dow of Sioux Falls was the architect and the contractor was Mr. Hafsos, from Cantan. It was made of Dell Rapids Granite.  The 72x78 ft. building had 14,284 usable sq. ft. space and housed administrative offices, the library, an auditorium/elegant chapel  of which seated 600 and classrooms.  Now, West Wing (later called Beadle Hall) used primarily for Model School (training department).  The Library holdings consisted of 3000 books which were cataloged according to the Dewey Decimal System.

                           Cross Country Club was organized in September, by the East Hall Club,  there were 2 teams - the Reds and Yellows. 

                             The Normal Yell

1905                President Beadle retires as president but stays on as professor of history  until 1912 when he retired.

                         John W. Heston, President (1905-1920).

                         First cup trophy won on May 25-26 at Inter-Normal Meet which was an athletic and literary contest.  First year the Anemone (college yearbook) was published.

                          At this time property, buildings & equipment valued at  $140,000.  There were four campus buildings on campus.

  Debating Club

                Men's Baseball

                                  

                                                          Philomathean  Literary Society

 

                                     

Eurosophian Literary Society             Junior Rhetorical Society

 

1906                 The Webster Society was organized - to aide in developing the ability of it's members in debate, oratory, music and other literary exercises as well as sociability.

                                       

                                        January Graduates

1907-1910          choose a different time period

 

1907                Smoke-Stack (a large brick chimney) erected at $2,500.  Contract went to Wold & Johnson of Brookings.

                          In the fall, the Girls Glee Club was formed and the Century Club was organized.

 

      West Hall dormitory & West Wing (Beadle Hall)  in the background

 

1908                A 40 ft. addition was built onto the north of the Ladies Hall Dormitory (now called East Hall).  It housed an enlarged kitchen, laundry & storage rooms.  East Wing (later called Kennedy Hall) housed the Executive Office and the elegant Chapel, not surpassed by any in the State.

                                                          Basketball Teams                                     

                       

           Football Team                   Baseball Team

                                     Class of 1908 

                                        

1909                The abandoned West Hall (Men's Dormitory) (36' X 86') located on the southwest end of campus was torn down to build Science Hall & Gymnasium( later called the Women's Gym, then called the Performing Arts Center and now called the TCB - Technology Classroom Building). Some of the West Hall building materials were salvaged for construction of the new building.

                           In the fall, Madison State Normal Orchestra was organized.

 

1910                Dr. Heston's interest in Industrial education in relation to teacher education is what moved him to build the Science Hall.  Sioux Falls Granite was used in the erection of the 60x100 Science Hall & Gymnasium.(Later called Women's Gym and then Performing Art Center and presently named TCB-Technology Classroom Building).  This building was located on the southwest end of campus. The first floor housed the laboratory, classroom facilities for chemistry, physics and agriculture, and a large lecture room & 2nd floor was the  gymnasium.  Science had been introduced in the establishment of courses in chemistry and domestic science. Many social events took place in this building.

                                                        

                            Tuition was at $2.00 per quarter consisting of 12 weeks.  Tuition, room and board, books and fees $135.65 for   nine month period (3 quarters).

               East Hall Girls Dorm Room

                  

   East Hall Girls 

 

                            New cement walks were laid on campus.

Library in East Wing (later called Kennedy Hall)

                                  

                          The Century Club was organized in 1907.  There were two divisions "A" & "B" due to the large membership.  The Century Clubs aim  was to learn to discipline themselves in oratory and declamation.

Women's Basketball   

1911-1915          choose a different time period

1911                The Debating Club drew up a constitution and the by-                                laws for the club.

 

            

      Football Team            Webster Society         Women's Basketball

 

  Girls Glee Club    Orchestra

 

    Model School 

        Manual Training                                       Word Drill

 

                    

     Normal Physical Culture Classes in the new Gymnasium

 

                         Some of the songs and yells that were used at this time.

 

1912                First year of inter-collegiate athletic competition, men on teams averaged 140 pounds.

 

                            Instructors and students from the 1912 Summer School Session,  The Lake Madison Chautauqua was in session at that time.  This gave the students the advantage of its instruction and entertainment as well.                                 

        

                          "Sylvia" was an operetta that was presented by the Music Department.

                  

1913                Heating plant (old Power House) enlarged and fully equipped - $12,500.  This was located to the north of East and West Wings.

 

.              

                                             Webster Society                   Biology Lab  

                                                                       

1913-1914

                             

                   State Normal Basketball Teams           

   Commercial Class       

 

Orchestra             

                                                           Poem  about 'Dear Old Normal'

 

                                      Model School

        8th Grade graduating class   

Cooking Class                   

 

1914                 Chapel Exercises were held at 10:30 every school day, the students were expected to attend.  Mondays chapel exercises were set aside for the Webster and the Century "A" & "B" literary societies presentations.  This proved to be very good valuable experience for the students.

 

                                    

                              Basketball Teams

 

7 &  8th grade Basketball Team at Model School

1914-1915

 

Strivers Debating Club         Girls Glee Club 

                

                                                                                          Exhausted Staff

 

   

             First, Second & Third Year Elementary Students

 

All four buildings had electric lights furnished by the central heating plant on campus.

  Madison State Normal Ad in the 1914-15 Yearbook

                     

                         November 18, 1915,  General William H.H. Beadle  passed away in San Francisco, California. He was President of Normal School from 1889-1905.

            

1916-1920          choose a different time period

1915-1916

   Anemone Staff

                       Orchestra

                                          

                Girton Hall ad taken from 1916 Yearbook

 

First Year Elementary  

                             Second Year Elementary        

          

        Strivers' Debating Society                             

                        

          Football    

 

                         Athletics was popular among the students partly due to Coach Charles C. Wagner.  

 

           Glee Clubs      

 

1916-1917      A 120x142 Campus Laboratory School (Model School) (later named Eastern Campus School and later yet named Beadle Campus School) was built of dark compressed brick and trimmed with light sandstone.  It was a one-story  building with a basement.  The basement was occupied by the Domestic Science and Art Departments along with the lunchroom.  It was an excellent teacher-in-training laboratory facility.

               Campus School Assembly        

 

                         The Athenian Literary Society met each Wednesday at the usual Chapel hour. This literary society started October 22, 1917.

  Basketball Teams 

 

      SW Corner of Campus  

                                    Faculty                         

        

    

       1917 First, Second & Third Year Intermediate Students

 

                             Charles B. Kennedy passed away on August 18, 1917.     Mr. Kennedy had deeded 20 acres of land on the north edge of Madison to the school in 1881.

 

1917-1918

 

    Basketball Teams    

 

                          These five officers led the Students Christian Association this year.  They met on Wednesday evenings and again on Sunday mornings when Dr. Heston led Bible Study.

 

  1st & 2nd year Elementary Class

                    Commercial Class 

 

         

              First, Second and Third Year Intermediate Classes

 

 Anemone Board

                                

                                          'Our  School' taken from the 1918 yearbook

                                                                                

   Century Society    

 

                                 Athenian Society

 

  Football Team  

 

                         At the end of this year, the Y.W.C.A. was organized.  This Young Women's Christian Association met weekly.

 

1918-1919       

 

   Campus School classroom

                        In this year, The Teachers' Club was organized.  This club was organized by the student teachers of the Normal Training School.  The aim of this club was to encourage scholarship and professional spirit among the teachers in training.

                      

  Anemone Staff                                 Athenian Society

 

   

                    First & Second Year Elementary Students

 

   

                    First, Second & Third Year Intermediate

 

    Century Literary Society   

 

    Basketball started early this year because there was no Football.   

                             Girls Basketball

 

1919-1920

                    Dr. Heston died in Feb. 1920. 

 

        Faculty & Staff

 

1920-1921

                          Bela M. Lawrence was appointed Acting President (February - July, 1920).

                       B. M. Lawrence & Coach Wagner

 

                         Edgar C. Higbie, (1920-1931), a native of Wisconsin, was selected as President in 1920.  Dr. Higbie did not take office until fall of 1921.

First & Second Year Elementary

 

                         Tuition was $4.00 per quarter.  Total cost of nine months school approximately $215.00.

 

                   First, Second and Third Year Intermediate

 

                         Madison Community Hospital (Heston Hall) opened to the  public on August 1, 1920.  It was a 35-bed hospital.  Cost was $175,000.00 of which all but $20,000.00 subscribed by 400 citizens of Madison.

                    Women's Basketball

 

     Normal Lyric Club

 

 Commercial Class

Home Economics Department in the Training School

 

1921-1925          choose a different time period

 

1921-1922   Edgar C. Higbie, (1920-1931), took office in fall of 1921.

                         Enrollment was 76 students.  Tuition was $12.00.

                        The college officially adopted the name change to Eastern State Normal School.

                         State of South Dakota acquires house and lot to be used for dormitory purposes (overflow from East Hall).  Paid for itself by self-liquidation.  It was named Girton House after W.W. Girton, who build the house and whom began his work on campus in 1896 as secretary/treasurer and instructor and later Professor William W. Girton was selected as Acting President. (1901-1902).

 

                            First, Second & Third Year Intermediate

                  

 

                         

                           First &  Second Year Elementary

                           A World War I Memorial was dedicated on campus on November 11, 1921.  This boulder with the bronze plaque was set near the southwest entrance of Campus.  The names on the plaque are those of the men students from the Normal who served in WW I.     B. M. Lawrence and C. C. Wagner were instrumental in raising the funds for this memorial among faculty, students, and friends of the Normal. 

 

                     Commercial Department

                          The aim of the Commercial Department was to train students to become first class office assistants.

 

East Hall Government Officers  

 

                          Women's Basketball Team

                          The Model School took on the name Eastern Campus School. The Model School consists of three departments: The Kindergarten-Primary Department includes the Kindergarten and the First and Second Grades; the Intermediate, the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grades; and the Junior High consists of the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth grade.

 

                 Faculty member E. L. Bolender

 

1922-1923

                    Pioneer Day (Homecoming Day) inaugurated with a parade in October, 1922.  This was the first homecoming.

Scouting   Orchestra

                                                                   

  Men's Basketball    Janitors

                          Kappa Sigma Iota was organized in June.  This was to promote and recognize scholastic achievement. It became one of the most active and leading campus organizations.

                           A student health service was organized with R.S. Westaby as first school doctor and also one of the hospital administrators.

 

               

 Nursing Class            Elementary Classes           Intermediate Classes