Throughout the last quarter of
the nineteenth century a number of more education-minded citizens hoped
for the establishment of an institution of higher learning in Plymouth
County. While county superintendent of schools, Professor Wernli
felt that a large percentage of teachers were deficient in their
training. He accordingly began to envision a normal school in the
county. With the aid of associates he made several attempts to
have a bill passed by the Iowa Legislature for a state normal school at
Le Mars. However, sectional jealousy consistently brought
defeat. So strongly was Professor Wernli convinced of the need,
that he declined re-election as county superintendent and in the Spring
of 1887 established the Northwestern Normal School and Business College.
The school had as ostentatious beginning, for its enrollment of
ten at first attended classes in an old German Methodist Church located
south of Le Mars. Before long the institution moved to the old
public school house in Le Mars. By the end of the first year,
however, the normal school had grown substantially in attendance and
favor. The instructors, Wernli and Hirsch, were assisted free of
charge by Reverend D. W. Fahs and G. W. Foster, a medical doctor.
By the winter of 1888 the school was so well patronized that larger
accommodations had to be found. Professor Wernli's hopes soared
and he purchased a large building on Main Street, The Richards House,
which had formerly been a hotel.
The basement of the Richards
House was converted into a kitchen and dining room. Class rooms
and an office were located on the first floor. Second floor,
exclusively the girls dormain, was presided over by Professor Wernli's
son, William, and his family, who occupied two rooms there. The
boys were all quartered on the third floor, and it was the
responsibility of William's brother, C.A. Wernli, to keep order
there. The enrollment reached 150 students by 1889.
The college at this time consisted of five departments; Normal,
Business, Music, Elocution, and Military Drill. The school year
was divided into four terms of ten weeks each. The entrance
requirements were quite low by standards of the 1960's. Any
person of good character over fourteen years of age was admitted
without examination. Tuition was $10 a term with board and room
$2 a week. A student could therefore attend the entire forty
weeks for the sum of $120.
Despite the promising beginning of Northwestern Normal and
Business College, the expenditure for upkeep and staff went beyond the
income. Professor Wernli's hopes of securing recognition of the
state for his college were not realized. This disappointment,
plus the financial strain, compelled him to withdraw from the college
at the close of the year 1891. Upon Professor Wernli's repeated
solicitations, arrangements were made for his former partner, Professor
Hirsch, and Professor A.W. Rich to rent the building and continue the
school.
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