Minnesota State University has gone by many names since the 1800s, but the first name the university went by was the Mankato Normal School. The school began in 1868 and kept the name until 1921 when the name changed to Mankato State Teachers College. The beginning of the Mankato Normal School has images of fire, new buildings, and an undefeated football team.
The Mankato Normal School started in the basement of the Methodist church in the fall of 1868. The first student body had 27 students and they were taught by four instructors. Compared to today’s colleges there are at least 27 students in one class. The first graduating class from the school had 10 members. Over time the school was able to move into a building that it could call home.
The new building was more suitable than the church basement and enrollment grew steadily over the years. The need to enlarge the school came in 1893 when the renovation was done by architects Gerlach Thayer and Pass. One of the major technologies of the building was the one telephone located in the president’s office. And during the cold of Minnesota’s winter the school was heated by 32 furnaces and during the winter months, the south campus yard was filled with cordwood to feed the fires.
During its time the Mankato Normal School experienced a couple of fires. The first of these fires occurred in January 1892. The fire broke out on the ground level of the building in the afternoon. There were students in the upper rooms but they all exited the building safely. There was another fire in February 1922. This fire destroyed the old building, but the buildings were replaced and the learning continued.
Learning wasn’t the only thing happening at the Mankato Normal School. In 1898 the schools’ football team went undefeated. At that time football was seen as a game for ruffians and the game was played very differently than the games we see today. There was no passing and the ball carrier decided when the play was over. The football season was 6 games in those years. The football team only allowed one touchdown during their amazing season. The team played mostly high school teams because of the way the schools’ curriculum was set up but they also played some college teams.
And so started the beginning of what came to Minnesota State University. From starting classes in the basement of a church to the campus we have today. Over time the small school would grow. Changing names and buildings but still providing quality education.
By Jacob Johnson
Watch this History In a Minute to learn more about the School’s history.
Do you have lists of the graduating classes? My grandmother born in 1888 went to a normal school close to Albert Lea where she lived. She might have been in the class of 1906 or 1907 or 1908. Her name Agnes Johnson.
I, too, share your interest in seeing a list of graduates. My mother (graduating high school in 1916 or 1917) graduated from Mankato and went on to teach public school music .
My great Grandmother, Clara Roberts, was born in Mankato in 1863 and went to the Mankato Normal School. She must have been there in the early 1880’s. Her family moved to Ventura, CA shortly after, where she “taught school”, so it must have been that education at the Normal School that prepared her.
I’m also fascinated with how her Welsh family might have interacted with the Dakota War of 1862, which “ended” 4 months before my Great Grandmother was born.
I’d love to hear anything back on these trails of inquiry.
Thanks!
Ellen Barlow,
Washington DC
There are photos and lists of graduating classes at this site https://collection.mndigital.org/?f%5Bcity_ssim%5D%5B%5D=Mankato&f%5Bcollection_name_ssi%5D%5B%5D=Minnesota+State+University%2C+Mankato
Does anyone know of a graduation photo for Mankato Normal School’s class of 1909? My grandmother was in this class, graduated June 3, 1909.
You may want to reach out to the University Archives at Minnesota State University, Mankato. They have a few images there! They can be reached at archives@mnsu.edu.