Community Newspaper Stories concerning Kane County, IL

Kane County Community News Stories

Normal University
Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) May 14 1857 - Submitted by Nancy Piper

From a dispatch in the Chicago Tribune and Bloomington Pantagraph, we learn that Bloomington has been selected as the location of the State Normal University, the vote was unanimous. Bloomington offered $95,000 in cash and 45,000 in real estate, make a total of $140,000, a magnificent subscription. We do not know whether the outlay will be justified for the advantages derived from its location, though there is one thing certain, liberality of Bloomington has placed the State in a position to try the system thoroughly. If the Institution does not succeed, it will not be for want of men; for the means in the hands of the Committee is greater than any similar Institution has in the West. See proceedings in another place.

State Normal School
Peoria, May 7
The Board met at the city of Peoria, on Thursday, at 3 o’clock P.M. and was called to order by the President.
The Board proceeded to open and examine the various proposals made for the location of the Universtiy. It was found upon examination that four propositions had been made from the following places: Batavia, Washington, Bloomington and Peoria.
The village Washington, Tazewell Co., offered in cash, land and buildings the sum of twenty thousand dollars.
The city of Batavia offered in cash, land and buildings estimated at forty-five thousand dollars.
The city and county of Peoria offered cash and land estimated to be worth eighty thousand dollars.
The city of Bloomington and county of McLean offered cash and land valued at one hundred forty-one thousand dollars.

Mr. Sloan offered the following resolution.
Resolved, - That the Normal University be located in the county of McLean near Bloomington, on the one hundred and sixty acres of land which is to be granted for the construction and sue of said University, provided, however that the said location shall not be made until the full amount of the appropriation in the manner in which the same is proposed is fully and safely secured by the execution and delivery of all necessary deeds of conveyance and all other papers which may be required to secure the said appropriation for the construction and use of said University as aforesaid.
Mr. Lovey offered the following amendment which was adopted.
Provided that if within sixty days the conditions of this resolution be not complied with, then the said Normal University shall be located in Peoria.
Mr. Sloan’s resolution was then unanimously adopted.
On motion, the Board then adjourned to 8 o’clock P.M.

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