BGSU
This year the city will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Bowling Green State University (BGSU). More broadly we remember the arrival of twin teacher training colleges, or normal schools, to northern Ohio with ours here in the northwest and Kent in the northeast part of the state. Community support in Bowling Green and throughout northwest Ohio coupled with visionary leadership helped forge what has truly become a premier learning center of national and international significance. During this anniversary we have the added distinction of being led by Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, first woman president of BGSU and President Emeritus of Kent State University.
Today, people are quick with a quip or a snigger when the archaic term “normal” school, or two year training institution for future elementary school teachers, pops up in conversation. Few realize that the state supported teacher training school concept in Ohio was historically a rather hard sell. In the early 1830’s Marietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teacher’s Seminary (later Marietta College) were among Ohio’s earliest normal schools. From 1830 until about 1880, the number of private normal schools, or colleges with normal departments, mushroomed in Ohio making the state a national leader in the education field. Simultaneously, by the late 1830’s, recommendations were emerging for a state supported teacher school at Columbus. Efforts toward this would continue for years with little support for the idea from either existing colleges or from the state. Encroaching on existing colleges’ turf or meddling with their curricula was very unpopular.
In 1899 Charles F. Seese of Summit County introduced a bill to the General Assembly to reactivate the discussion especially as it pertained to the state support of training elementary teachers. Opposition persisted, but the bill was rewritten, and by 1902 the Seese Bill established state-funded normal schools at two existing colleges: Ohio State University and Miami University. The bill also included a normal school commission to investigate the need for additional training facilities in Ohio and the effectiveness of existing private normal school practices and methods.
By 1904 State School Commissioner Edmund E. Jones’ report recommended that provision be made for two teacher training facilities in the northern portion of Ohio. The proposal received little or no attention. The tide, however, began to turn about 1907 when northern Ohio communities realized the potential prosperity and advantages they might realize with a normal school in their town.
Bowling Green, equally hopeful, began its own campaign to obtain a normal school. This was spearheaded by local attorney B.F. James and Wood County State Senators R.A. Beattie and E.D. Bloom among others. A citizen’s group published an illustrated booklet by photographer James Walker capturing important street scenes, public buildings, residences and the city park. The publication and a 1908 Senate bill introduced by R.A. Beattie promoted the advantages of Bowling Green in the “contest” for the school. The city park was even offered as the future site. At the same time, the city attracted additional support from the communities of Findlay, Napoleon and Toledo. Two indispensable allies from Napoleon were Henry County Representative J. Hamilton Lowry and businessman D. C. Brown. Interestingly, Mr. Brown would serve on the first board of trustees of the new college.
In 1910, J. Hamilton Lowry sponsored successful legislation to extend the state normal school system to a northeast and a northwest location and include a five person commission to scout out appropriate locations for the two schools. The five members, appointed by the governor, hailed from central and southern Ohio, an action which was thought to aid in making an unbiased choice for the school sites. This commission was looking for a community having a population within a radius of twenty-five miles, a railroad and suitable transportation system, an upright moral climate, health advantages, and parcels of land acceptable for the new school’s needs. In addition to Bowling Green, other northwest Ohio communities vying for the commission’s attention included Arcadia, Carey, Columbus Grove, Delphos, Findlay, Fostoria, Fremont, Grand Rapids, Leipsic, Lima, Napoleon, Perrysburg, Upper Sandusky, Van Wert, Wauseon and later Kenton. In August, 1910, Wood County Senator E.D. Bloom chaired a Bowling Green committee to lay plans for the Lowry Commission’s visit in September. By then all the normal school contenders had been eliminated from consideration by the commission except Bowling Green, Fremont and Van Wert.
The commission members came to Bowling Green and were entertained at the ornate brick residence of B.F. James, built by local entrepreneur Norton Reed, on Church Street. The house still stands behind the Wood County District Public Library. Coincidentally, Mr. James’ college classmate, Professor C.L. Martzolff, was a member of the commission. The group considered four proposed sites in town: the city park on the east side, a parcel north of town, another south of town and one on the west side near the future home of Wood County Hospital. Martzolff expressed a strong preference for the park property, which was comprised of 82.5 acres (eleven of which actually belonged to the park and an additional 71.5 adjoining it that would have to be purchased).
Apparently the commission was impressed by Bowling Green’s commitment to win and sustain the school and liked the city’s central location in northwest Ohio, its transportation advantages: railroad, electric interurban and highways, and its reputation as a dry community.
Early in 1911 voters in Bowling Green passed a bond issue for the purchase of the additional parcels of property comprising the 82.5 acres promised to the state. City Council authorized the $40,000 bond issue and the purchase of the real estate. The process of buying the land from various property owners was a lengthy one. Helen Wooster, daughter of Norton Reed, not only sold her property to the city but allowed the college to use her sizeable home as the first president’s residence. The house would later be bought by the college. Once all the acreage was acquired, an auction was conducted (since the legality of the city giving the ground to the state was questioned) and the property was sold to J.N. Easley, notable investment and finance specialist, for $10.00. He, in turn, transferred title to Ohio for $1.00.
The governor appointed a board of trustees for the new normal school in the spring of 1911, and approximately a year later the first president, Homer B. Williams was hired to lead the soon-to-be named Bowling Green State Normal College. From the start, President Williams had an eye on future training for both elementary and secondary school educators. He saw beyond the limitations of a two year normal school program to the possibilities of a four year degree granting institution.
Building construction at the school was delayed until approximately 1913 since a few land title issues had to be resolved. A main administration building (University Hall) initially housing the elementary training school; a science/agriculture building (Mosley Hall); women’s dorm (Williams Hall); and a heating plant formed the nucleus of the early campus. While these were under construction, classes officially began in the fall of 1914 in temporary headquarters at the new National Guard Armory near downtown. The first library was conveniently located in the basement of the Methodist Church across the street. No tuition was charged for the first few years, a gesture which helped instill good will among many area citizens and promised a free education close to home.
Bowling Green citizens worked hard to win the normal school and now 100 years later can look back and celebrate the partnership, community growth, support and enrichment that resulted from their labors.
