| Nineteenth century America believed that with enough resources, political
lobbying and human spirit, any town could become a central city. Towns promoted
themselves in the hopes of acquiring the county seat, a railroad, or other
public institution. Any of these it was believed, could assure a towns survival
and growth. |
The Charleston Normal School committee met in the office of
George H. Jeffries where they mapped a strategy to bring the Normal School
to Charleston.
postcard, c. 1900, from the collection of William Smith
|
On May 22, 1895, Governor Altgeld signed Senate Bill No. 148, which authorized
the construction of the Eastern Illinois State Normal School. Charleston
competed with numerous communities in east central Illinois for the normal
school. Charleston newspapers praised the virtues of the city's water supply,
picturesque setting, and other qualities. |
Birdseye view of Charleston
1894, from The Charleston Plaindealer
|
Decker Spring Park, with its proposed improvements, was a possible
site for the school but was not chosen because of its distance from
Charleston
1895, Charleston Illustrated, EIU Archives
|
Mattoon’s political connections made it a front-runner for the Normal
School in eastern Illinois. Mattoon offered $40,000 more for construction
costs than Charleston, and was a stop on the Illinois Central Railroad line.
The State Trustees of the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, however,
preferred the package offered by Charleston. “Charleston deserved
it. She is much the prettiest town [and] is a more healthy location,”
wrote former Charleston resident Lewis Monroe in the September 20, 1895,
Charleston Scimitar. |
| The Normal School "is the culminating achievement of universal education
. . . And the idea of universal education has at its basis the great principle
of human equality. Let the teacher go forth from the normal school
fully inspired with this grand idea."
Dr. Richard Edwards,
Dedication of Old Main
August 29, 1899
|
Dedication Day parade with soldiers.
August 29, 1899, EIU Archives
|
Coles County Courthouse under construction.
photograph by Charles Gramesly, October 1899.
|
The presence of the Normal School increased Charleston's population and
promoted business growth. Fashionable homes previously confined to
Jackson and Monroe streets spread closer to the school on Sixth and Seventh
streets. New housing developed east of the school, along Lincoln Avenue,
which runs in from of Old Main. Gradually, Lincoln Avenue changed from
a residential area to a commercial district. Today, Charleston continues
to expand west along Lincoln and south of the campus. |
"Bird's eye View" of Charleston down 6th Street.
postcard, c. 1909, from the collection of William Smith
|
Charleston's 7th Street neighborhood.
postcard, 1909, from the collection of William Smith
|