Gale College: Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 44°4′43″N 91°22′2″W / 44.07861°N 91.36722°W / 44.07861; -91.36722
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
added junior to Judge George Gale's son George
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Gale College Historic District
| name = Gale College Historic District
| nrhp_type = hd
| nrhp_type = hd
| nocat = yes
| image = OldMainHallGalesCollege.jpg
| image = Gale College Statue.jpg
| caption = Old Main Hall 2010
| caption = Old Main Hall in 2023
| location= Twelfth St., [[Galesville, Wisconsin]]
| locmapin = Wisconsin
| location = Twelfth Street, [[Galesville, Wisconsin]]
| coordinates = {{coord|44|4|43|N|91|22|2|W|display=inline,title}}
⚫
| architecture = Italianate
| locmapin = Wisconsin#USA
⚫
| added = February 14, 1997
⚫
| architecture = Italianate
⚫
| area = {{convert|2|acre}}
⚫
| added = February 14, 1997
| governing_body = Private
⚫
| area = {{convert|2|acre}}
| mpsub = [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/64000934.pdf Galesville MRA]
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64000934|title=Galesville MRA}}
| refnum = 84004020<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
| refnum = 84004020<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Gale College''' (also '''Galesville University''' and '''Marynook''') was a private college in [[Galesville, Wisconsin]]. It was founded by [[George Gale (Wisconsin politician)|George Gale]], opening in 1854 and closed in 1939. Several religious denominations used the facilities as a college and later as a training school.
'''Gale College''' (also '''Galesville University''' and '''Marynook''') was a private college in [[Galesville, Wisconsin]]. It was founded by [[George Gale (Wisconsin politician)|George Gale]], opening in 1854 and closing in 1939. Several religious denominations used the facilities as a college and later as a training school.


==History==
==History==
Judge George Gale went to college at the [[University of Vermont]] and moved to the western frontier in [[La Crosse, Wisconsin]] in the early 1850s.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1>{{cite news|title=Gale College Founder's Day To Be Celebrated On Sunday|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/articleView.asp?pg=1&id=8000&hdl=&np=&adv=yes&ln=Lau&fn=John&q=&y1=&y2=&ci=&co=&mhd=&shd=|accessdate=30 April 2012|newspaper=LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press|date=26 April 1935}}</ref> After finding little interest in starting a college in La Crosse, he bought 2000 acres to start Galesville at a choice spot for his upcoming university.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> The state of Wisconsin chartered the school in 1854 as "Galesville University" and he held the first classes in the county courthouse in Galesville.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> The first class had 16 students including Gale's son George Gale, Jr.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> Old Main was completed in 1862 and the campus becomes occupied in 1863.<ref name=OldMainChronology>{{cite web|title=Chronology of Old Main - Galesville, WI|url=http://www.oldmain.org/Development.htm|publisher=Old Main Historical and Community Arts Center|accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> Gale ran the nonsectarian college until 1865 and the school floundered while his health deteriorated during his involvement in the American Civil War.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2>{{cite news|title=Gale College Founder's Day To Be Celebrated On Sunday|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/articleView.asp?pg=2&orderby=&id=8000&pn=1&adv=yes&hdl=&np=&ln=Lau&fn=John&q=&y1=&y2=&ci=&co=&mhd=&shd=|accessdate=30 April 2012|newspaper=LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press|date=26 April 1935}}</ref>
Judge George Gale went to college at the [[University of Vermont]] and moved to the western frontier in [[La Crosse, Wisconsin]], in the early 1850s.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1>{{cite news|title=Gale College Founder's Day To Be Celebrated On Sunday|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/articleView.asp?pg=1&id=8000&hdl=&np=&adv=yes&ln=Lau&fn=John&q=&y1=&y2=&ci=&co=&mhd=&shd=|access-date=April 30, 2012|newspaper=LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press|date=April 26, 1935}}</ref> After finding little interest in starting a college in La Crosse, he bought {{Convert|2000|acre}} to start Galesville at a choice spot for his planned university.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> The state of Wisconsin chartered the school in 1854 as Galesville University and Gale held the first classes in the county courthouse in Galesville.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> The first class had 16 students including Gale's son, George Gale Jr.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> Old Main was completed in 1862 and the campus was occupied in 1863.<ref name=OldMainChronology>{{cite web |title=Chronology of Old Main - Galesville, WI |url=http://www.oldmain.org/Development.htm |publisher=Old Main Historical and Community Arts Center |access-date=May 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818132512/http://www.oldmain.org/Development.htm |archive-date=August 18, 2007 }}</ref> Gale ran the nonsectarian college until 1865 and the school floundered when his health deteriorated during his involvement in the [[American Civil War]].<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2>{{cite news|title=Gale College Founder's Day To Be Celebrated On Sunday|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/articleView.asp?pg=2&orderby=&id=8000&pn=1&adv=yes&hdl=&np=&ln=Lau&fn=John&q=&y1=&y2=&ci=&co=&mhd=&shd=|access-date=April 30, 2012|newspaper=LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press|date=April 26, 1935}}</ref>


In 1865, the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] took over the school and it held classes until 1871.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2 /> The [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]] took over until 1901 and changed the name to Gale College in the 1890s.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2 /><ref name=OldMainChronology /> The [[Synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] purchased the college in 1901.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2 /> In 1915, they build a new dormitory and gymnasium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Great Crowd Expected at Dedication Festival for Gale's College|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iZUWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_SAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5194,4759472&dq=gale-college&hl=en|accessdate=1 May 2012|newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal]]|date=26 September 1915}}</ref> They constructed a new heating building in 1921.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gales College to Open Sixty-third Year|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=970&dat=19210818&id=9uMmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ChQGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2284,1672379|accessdate=1 May 2012|newspaper=The Blair Press|date=18 August 1921}}</ref> The Lutherans suspended the school for the 1938-9 school year because of too small enrollment and closed it permanently in June 1939.<ref>{{cite news|title=Galesville College Will Not Operate in '38 - '39|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wNtBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3akMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3905,6826540&dq=gale-college&hl=en|accessdate=1 May 2012|newspaper=Telegraph-Herald|date=25 August 1938}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wisconsin College Decides to Close|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=juxBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3201,592419&dq=gale-college&hl=en|accessdate=1 May 2012|newspaper=Telegraph-Herald|date=15 June 1939}}</ref>
In 1865, the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] took over the school and held classes until 1871.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2 /> The [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]] took over until 1901 and changed the name to Gale College in the 1890s.<ref name=OldMainChronology /><ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2 /> The [[Synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] purchased the college in 1901.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress2 /> In 1915, they built a new dormitory and gymnasium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Great Crowd Expected at Dedication Festival for Gale's College|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iZUWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_SAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5194,4759472&dq=gale-college&hl=en|access-date=May 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal]]|date=September 26, 1915}}</ref> They constructed a new heating plant in 1921.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gales College to Open Sixty-third Year|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=970&dat=19210818&id=9uMmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ChQGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2284,1672379|access-date=May 1, 2012|newspaper=The Blair Press|date=August 18, 1921}}</ref> The Lutherans suspended the school for the 1938-39 school year because of too small enrollment and closed it permanently in June 1939.<ref>{{cite news|title=Galesville College Will Not Operate in '38 - '39|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wNtBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3akMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3905,6826540&dq=gale-college&hl=en|access-date=May 1, 2012|newspaper=Telegraph-Herald|date=August 25, 1938}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wisconsin College Decides to Close|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=juxBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3201,592419&dq=gale-college&hl=en|access-date=May 1, 2012|newspaper=Telegraph-Herald|date=June 15, 1939}}</ref>


The [[Society of Mary (Marianists)|Society of Mary, Province of St. Louis]] purchased the buildings and 20 acres of land in 1941 for $10,000.<ref name=MilwaukeeSentinel1941>{{cite news|title=Historic Gale College to be Catholic Training School|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZU9QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TQ0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7021,5569270&dq=gale-college&hl=en|accessdate=1 May 2012|newspaper=[[Milwaukee Sentinel]]|date=25 April 1941}}</ref> Its buildings included two dormitories, the main building, and a heat building.<ref name=MilwaukeeSentinel1941 /> The Catholic [[Congregation (Catholic)|order]] used the buildings to train novitiate [[Brother (Catholic)|brothers]] and [[priest]]s.<ref name=MilwaukeeSentinel1941 /> They named the school Marynook and operated the novitiate before it became a retreat in 1973.<ref>{{cite news|title=Founders Day Observed|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vTQ5AAAAIBAJ&sjid=xBQGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1385,1308287&dq=galesville-university&hl=en|accessdate=1 May 2012|newspaper=Blair Press|date=16 June 1977}}</ref> It operated as a retreat until June 1994 when the city of Galesville purchased it for $150,000.<ref name=OldMainChronology /> The city granted a 50-year lease in 2000 to the Garden of Eden Preservation Society.<ref name=OldMainChronology />
The [[Society of Mary (Marianists)|Society of Mary, Province of St. Louis]] purchased the buildings and {{Convert|20|acre}} of land in 1941 for $10,000.<ref name=MilwaukeeSentinel1941>{{cite news|title=Historic Gale College to be Catholic Training School|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZU9QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TQ0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7021,5569270&dq=gale-college&hl=en|access-date=May 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Milwaukee Sentinel]]|date=April 25, 1941}}</ref> Its buildings included two dormitories, the main building, and a heating plant.<ref name=MilwaukeeSentinel1941 /> The Catholic [[Religious congregation|order]] used the buildings to train novitiate [[Brother (Catholic)|brothers]] and [[priest]]s.<ref name=MilwaukeeSentinel1941 /> They named the school Marynook and operated the novitiate until it became a retreat in 1973.<ref>{{cite news|title=Founders Day Observed|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vTQ5AAAAIBAJ&sjid=xBQGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1385,1308287&dq=galesville-university&hl=en|access-date=May 1, 2012|newspaper=Blair Press|date=June 16, 1977}}</ref> The retreat operated until June 1994, at which time the city of Galesville purchased it for $150,000.<ref name=OldMainChronology /> The city granted a 50-year lease in 2000 to the Garden of Eden Preservation Society.<ref name=OldMainChronology />


===Founder's Day===
===Founder's Day===
Throughout the school's varied history, it held a "Founders Day" celebration on June 4.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> A wreath was usually placed at George Gale's tomb and the grounds were typically open to the public.<ref name=BlairPressFoundersDay>{{cite news|title=Founders Day Program|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5GxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2324,2816479&dq=gale-college&hl=en|accessdate=1 May 2012|newspaper=The Blair Press|date=1 June 1944}}</ref> The day celebrated Gale's founding of the school, his platting of Galesville, and his work to develop [[Trempealeau County, Wisconsin|Trempealeau County]].<ref name=BlairPressFoundersDay />
Throughout the school's varied history, it held a "Founders Day" celebration on June 4.<ref name=LaCrosseTribuneLeaderPress1 /> A wreath was usually placed at Gale's tomb and the grounds were typically open to the public.<ref name=BlairPressFoundersDay>{{cite news|title=Founders Day Program|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5GxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2324,2816479&dq=gale-college&hl=en|access-date=May 1, 2012|newspaper=The Blair Press|date=June 1, 1944}}</ref> The day celebrated Gale's founding of the school, his platting of Galesville, and his work to develop [[Trempealeau County, Wisconsin|Trempealeau County]].<ref name=BlairPressFoundersDay />


===Historic Place===
===Historic Place===
Line 30: Line 32:
==Current use==
==Current use==
[[File:Gale College Kindergarten 2010.jpg|thumb|right|Kindergarten]]
[[File:Gale College Kindergarten 2010.jpg|thumb|right|Kindergarten]]
[[File:Gale College Red Brick Building.jpg|thumb|right|Red brick building]]
[[File:2016RedBrickGaleCollege.jpg|thumb|right|Red brick building]]
The Old Main building is being restored by the Old Main Historical & Community Arts Center. The group rents out the building for events and holds fundraisers.<ref name=WinonaDailyNews2011>{{cite web|title=Old-fashioned fun planned this weekend in Galesville|url=http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_17cf6170-e01b-11e0-9123-001cc4c002e0.html|publisher=[[Winona Daily News]]|accessdate=1 May 2012}}</ref> Volunteers are compiling the history of the area, building a digital database and collecting local genealogy information.<ref name=WinonaDailyNews2011 /> Another building is being used as a [[kindergarten]].
The Old Main building is being restored by the Old Main Historical & Community Arts Center. The group rents out the building for events and holds fundraisers.<ref name=WinonaDailyNews2011>{{cite web|title=Old-fashioned fun planned this weekend in Galesville|url=http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_17cf6170-e01b-11e0-9123-001cc4c002e0.html|publisher=[[Winona Daily News]]|access-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref> Volunteers are compiling the history of the area, building a digital database, and collecting local genealogy information.<ref name=WinonaDailyNews2011 /> Another building is being used as a [[kindergarten]].


==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
{{div col}}
⚫
*[[John Hamman]], Roman Catholic religious, magician
*[[Charles N. Herreid]], politician
*[[Marcellus Dorwin]], politician
⚫
*[[John Hamman]], [[Marianist]] Brother, magician
*[[Charles N. Herreid]], politician, Governor of South Dakota
*[[Corinne Hogden Robinson]], nutritionist
*[[David L. Holcomb]], politician
*[[Merlin Hull]], politician
*[[Merlin Hull]], politician
*[[John Ballard Rendall]], educator and politician
*[[Arnt O. Rhea]], politician and educator
*[[Elmore Y. Sarles]], Governor of North Dakota
*[[Hobart Stocking]], politician
*[[Albert Twesme]], politician and jurist
{{Div col end}}


==See also==
==Gallery==
{|style="margin: 0 auto; float:center;"
⚫
*"A brief history of Galesville University, Gale College and Marynook" by Lucinda Oakland Morken.
|[[File:Gale College aerial photo.jpg|thumb|Gale College aerial photo]]
|[[File:Gale College sign.jpg|thumb|165px|Gale College sign]]
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
⚫
*''A brief history of Galesville University, Gale College and Marynook'' by Lucinda Oakland Morken.


==External links==
==External links==
Line 49: Line 67:


{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{Registered Historic Places}}
{{Colleges and universities in Wisconsin}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Defunct universities and colleges in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Defunct private universities and colleges in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 1939]]
[[Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 1939]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1854]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:1939 disestablishments in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Lutheran universities and colleges in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 04:13, 28 December 2023

Gale College Historic District
Old Main Hall in 2023
Gale College is located in Wisconsin
Gale College
Gale College is located in the United States
Gale College
LocationTwelfth Street, Galesville, Wisconsin
Coordinates44°4′43″N 91°22′2″W / 44.07861°N 91.36722°W / 44.07861; -91.36722
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Architectural styleItalianate
MPSGalesville MRA
NRHP reference No.84004020[1]
Added to NRHPFebruary 14, 1997

Gale College (also Galesville University and Marynook) was a private college in Galesville, Wisconsin. It was founded by George Gale, opening in 1854 and closing in 1939. Several religious denominations used the facilities as a college and later as a training school.

History[edit]

Judge George Gale went to college at the University of Vermont and moved to the western frontier in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the early 1850s.[2] After finding little interest in starting a college in La Crosse, he bought 2,000 acres (810 ha) to start Galesville at a choice spot for his planned university.[2] The state of Wisconsin chartered the school in 1854 as Galesville University and Gale held the first classes in the county courthouse in Galesville.[2] The first class had 16 students including Gale's son, George Gale Jr.[2] Old Main was completed in 1862 and the campus was occupied in 1863.[3] Gale ran the nonsectarian college until 1865 and the school floundered when his health deteriorated during his involvement in the American Civil War.[4]

In 1865, the Methodist Episcopal Church took over the school and held classes until 1871.[4] The Presbyterians took over until 1901 and changed the name to Gale College in the 1890s.[3][4] The Synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America purchased the college in 1901.[4] In 1915, they built a new dormitory and gymnasium.[5] They constructed a new heating plant in 1921.[6] The Lutherans suspended the school for the 1938-39 school year because of too small enrollment and closed it permanently in June 1939.[7][8]

The Society of Mary, Province of St. Louis purchased the buildings and 20 acres (8.1 ha) of land in 1941 for $10,000.[9] Its buildings included two dormitories, the main building, and a heating plant.[9] The Catholic order used the buildings to train novitiate brothers and priests.[9] They named the school Marynook and operated the novitiate until it became a retreat in 1973.[10] The retreat operated until June 1994, at which time the city of Galesville purchased it for $150,000.[3] The city granted a 50-year lease in 2000 to the Garden of Eden Preservation Society.[3]

Founder's Day[edit]

Throughout the school's varied history, it held a "Founders Day" celebration on June 4.[2] A wreath was usually placed at Gale's tomb and the grounds were typically open to the public.[11] The day celebrated Gale's founding of the school, his platting of Galesville, and his work to develop Trempealeau County.[11]

Historic Place[edit]

Several buildings on the campus were listed as a historic district with the National Register of Historic Places on February 14, 1997.[1]

Current use[edit]

Kindergarten
Red brick building

The Old Main building is being restored by the Old Main Historical & Community Arts Center. The group rents out the building for events and holds fundraisers.[12] Volunteers are compiling the history of the area, building a digital database, and collecting local genealogy information.[12] Another building is being used as a kindergarten.

Notable alumni[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Gale College aerial photo
Gale College sign

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Gale College Founder's Day To Be Celebrated On Sunday". LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press. April 26, 1935. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "Chronology of Old Main - Galesville, WI". Old Main Historical and Community Arts Center. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d "Gale College Founder's Day To Be Celebrated On Sunday". LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press. April 26, 1935. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  5. ^ "Great Crowd Expected at Dedication Festival for Gale's College". Milwaukee Journal. September 26, 1915. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  6. ^ "Gales College to Open Sixty-third Year". The Blair Press. August 18, 1921. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  7. ^ "Galesville College Will Not Operate in '38 - '39". Telegraph-Herald. August 25, 1938. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  8. ^ "Wisconsin College Decides to Close". Telegraph-Herald. June 15, 1939. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "Historic Gale College to be Catholic Training School". Milwaukee Sentinel. April 25, 1941. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  10. ^ "Founders Day Observed". Blair Press. June 16, 1977. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Founders Day Program". The Blair Press. June 1, 1944. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Old-fashioned fun planned this weekend in Galesville". Winona Daily News. Retrieved May 1, 2012.

Further reading[edit]

  • A brief history of Galesville University, Gale College and Marynook by Lucinda Oakland Morken.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gale College.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gale_College&oldid=1192197960"