Original Normal Building

Facts

Cost: $70,000.00

Renovation Dates:

1876, 1888, 1894, 1900, 1915 - (Science and Administration Unit; Cost: $250, 000)

Demolition Date: 1916 (destroyed by fire)

Primary Purpose of Building: The Normal School housed most classrooms, the library, museum, and administrative offices of the Oshkosh Normal School.

Current Use: Destroyed.

History

The first building built for the campus was intended to house all activities for the school. Funds for the building came principally from the city of Oshkosh. The city provided $35K for the building and the land. Local architect William Waters designed the building that underwent six additions in its 45 year lifespan. In 1913, the state legislature ruled that the first five units of the building were “no longer suitable for a normal school building.” The majority of the building, save the newly built Science and Administration Unit, was slated for eventual demolition while plans were drawn up for the new building that would one day be called Dempsey Hall.  A foundation for this building was dug in the autumn of 1915 and would be connected to the original building with a temporary hallway.

This would never happen as on March 22, 1916, a fire destroyed the entire Normal School Building. Faculty and staff rushed in and out of the flames saving administrative records, equipment, art and library books. In the end, the entire building was lost. Classes resumed on March 24, 1916 in the remaining buildings on campus as well as area churches. Construction on a new school building began in 1917. During the construction Normal students took classes at Oshkosh High School during the afternoon, the high school students heroically adopting a mornings-only schedule.

Photos