Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/158

 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES School is one o f unrivaled beauty and healthfulness. The buildings arc grouped in such a w ay as to be easy o f access to the students and are surrounded with well kept lawns and numerous trees o f nearly every variety capable o f growth in this latitude. Bloomsburg is a city o f homes and the Normal pupils gain thus all the advantages o f homelike surround­ in gs and social opportunities, without the temptations o f a larger city. T h is school is one of the largest in the U nited States and many o f its graduates fill positions o f importance throughout this and other States. *rhe school is one of the best disciplined in the country, while the educa­ tional work is so carefully supervised that a strong corps o f university and college (rained teachers has been brought together tor a fac­ u lty. A s a result the young men and women graduated from the c o l l i e and preparatory courses arc taking high rank among their fe l­ lo w s and reflecting great credit on their alma m ater. Nineteen acres o f campus afford ample space for lawns and athletic grounds and in­ clu d e a beautiful oak grove, while the seven buildings are admirably adapted to their differ­ ent uses. Institute Hall, built in 1867. tain s six spacious classrooms, and an audi­ torium on the second floor with a seating c a ­ pacity o f t,ooo. T he Model School building, w here the prospective teachers are given classes o f little ones to instruct, thus getting practical experience in their life work, is a handsome three-story building next to Insti­ tute Ilall. It is 80 by 90 feet in dimensions an d contains twenty-eight study and recitation rooms, well ventilated and fitted out for the most improved methods o f instruction. T he main dormitor)’ is four stories high, having a frontage o f 165 feet and an extension o f 75 feet, and a wing 40 by 104 feet. This w ing furnishes accommodations for seventy students. Extending across this wing forward to the front building is the most attractive por­ tion of the entire cluster o f school buildings. It is a piazza 140 feet in length, which fronts the beautiful Susquehanna, and from this vantage point one of the most charming views in eastern Pennsylvania m ay be enjoyed. The river, like a ribbon, edges the plain on the south, disappearing through a bold gorge three miles to (be southwest. Rising immediately beyond the river is a precipitous ridge 400 feet high, backed by the majestic brow o f Catawissa mountain. The town .spreads be­ fore the eye to the right and left, while in front is an expanse o f green and golden field

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and farm. T his is a spot to rest and feast the eye, and is alw ays at the service o f (he student. In this main building is located the dining room, with a floor space o f over four thousand square feet. It is in charge o f a professional chef and meals are served by individual orders. W hat is known as the north end addition w as built within a few years past and e x ­ tends to within a short distance of the Model School building, with which it is connected by a two-story covered passage-way. Here arc located the study hall, library, dormitories for young men, etc. A t the northwestern e x ­ tremity o f this building is the gymna.sium building. 45 by 90 feet, fitted with all the necessary appliances, and one of the best in the State. The main building is equipped with an elevator and sanitary appliances, and all buildings are thoroughly illuminated, heated and ventilated. Science Hall, on the west, was erected within recent years at a cost o f $65,000 and is a model o f its kind. North Hall is 40 by 70 feet, three stories high, with a basement that contains the laundry. A part of the top floor is fitted up as an infirmary. Besides the instruction in the classrooms, many of the classes in botany, agriculture, ge­ ology, etc., are taken on long trips weekly around the country to study their subjects at close quarters. These trips are useful, in­ structive. entertaining and healthful, and are e a ^ r ly attended by the students. T lie beginning of the present Normal Jichool was made in 1839, when a building at the com er o f Third and Jefferson streets, Blooms­ burg, w as opened as a private school fo r in­ struction in the higher branches. T he first teacher proved incompetent and the same year C. P. W aller, a graduate o f WilHjms CiiUege and subsequently a president judge of this State, was induced to come here and found an academy. H e remained for two years and left (he institution in a flourishing condition. A fte r this teachers in the public schools in their summer vacations taught in this school, one of them. Jo el E . Bradley, restoring to some extent the high standard set by M r. W al­ ler. About the year 1854 M r. B . F . Eaton opened a classical school in the Primitive Meth­ odist church (on what is now the site o f St. Columba’s church), and continued it with such success that his friends look measures to make it permanent. In 1856 Rev. D. J . W aller prepared a ch.arter and William Robinson and others circulated it. The original signers w ere: A . J . Sloan. M. Coffman. E . Mendcn-