Page:A history of the Michigan state normal school (now Normal college) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899 (IA historyofmichiga00putniala).pdf/24

. of Richland, Kalamazoo County. They called attention to the facts that their place was central in the State, was sufficiently accessible, and at the same time just enough retired to be free from dissipating and immoral influences, was very healthy, that living expenses were low, and that they were of the opinicn that "nature or the God of nature," had arranged the place for the especial accommodation of "the State Normal School of Michigan." In addition to these natural advantages, they pledged to provide sufficient land, and to give $7,364 in cash.

Jackson offered all the land desired, the free use of rooms for the school till buildings could be erected, and $10,335 in money.

Marshall offered five acres of land valued at four thousand dollars.

Niles proposed to give suitable grounds, and the sum of five thousand dollars to be paid in three equal annual installments.

Ypsilanti offered a cash subscription of $13.500, temporary rooms for the use of the school, and proposed to pay, upon cer-specified conditions, for five years, the salary of the principal teacher of the model school, which salary might be $700 per year.

After full examination and investigation the Board decided to accept the proposition made by the citizens of Ypsilanti.

In their report the Board say:

"The advantages of this site, in point of health, accessibility, and locality, were deemed, under all the circumstances, not second to any other, while the proposition to the Board was by far the most liberal. The site selected is convenient of access to all parts of the State. The village of Ypsilanti is sufficiently large to furnish every facility for boarding pupils, and the character of its population, and the deep interest manifested by them upon the subject of education, cannot fail to surround the institution with good influences."

The Board proceeded as rapidly as circumstances would permit to erect a suitable building for the school. A description of this building will be found in another connection. ‘The building having been completed, the formal exercises of dedication took place on the fifth of October, 1852. A complete account of the