Northern Illinois State Normal School, later Northern Illinois State College, later Northern Illinois University

Location: Lincoln Highway
Erected: 1895

The Northern Illinois State Normal School was built in DeKalb thanks to the efforts of DeKalb Daily Chronicle editor Clinton Rosette, entrepreneurs Isaac L. Ellwood, Joseph Glidden, Jacob Haish, and many others. Glidden asserted political influence and donated the 72 acres upon which the original campus was built. Haish and Ellwood donated funds totalling some $30,000 and construction began on October 1, 1895.

The original campus consisted of only one building then known as "the castle on the hill" and later named Altgeld Hall after Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld, who suggested the architectural style and approved the bill allowing for its construction. The exterior structure is designed in Tudor Gothic style, in imitation of the English castles of that period. In constrast to its medieval facade, the building's interior was built in contemporary style. The Illinois state government appropriated a total of approximately $200,000 for construction of the building, in addition to the funds donated by private parties.

Instruction began at the Normal School in September of 1898, at which time the building was not yet finished. Sixteen faculty members greeted 139 students on that first day.

In 1955, the institution was renamed Northern Illinois State College, having expanded its function beyond teacher education.

The college became Northern Illinois University in 1957, and soon expanded its programs to include degrees in business, fine and applied arts, and liberal arts and sciences.

Images of Normal School.

Source: Davy, Harriet Wilson. From Oxen to Jets: a History of DeKalb County 1835-1963. Dixon IL: Rogers 1963.
Prall Ivan. "How NIU Came to DeKalb." DeKalb County Magazine" August 1988, p.35-36.