The Rock Island Argus., 1885-06-13
AUGUSTANA COLLEGE.
Rock Islands Theological Institu.
tiOn.-HistOrical and General De-
scription Of the Seminary.

At this time, when Mr.. Cables gener-
GUS gift to that institution, has awakened
interest In Augustana college, brief des
scription of the seminary-its establish>
ment, struggle for existence and present
condition will not seem amiss.
A full history of the self-denying
efforts. and boundles IS enthusiasm of the
devoted christian men who founded
and fostered this school would take
too much space to be- given now.
The Swedish Lutherans, under whose
auspices the college was founded and has
been kept in existence, were few and very
poor Liberal contributions, however,
were received from Swedes, nearly $14.
600 having been realized by taking an
agency for the sale of land. Some Amer>
ican friends have done nobly, but the
chief swell of funds has been the the
thousands of small contributions annually
given by the members of the charch.
This institution was founded in 1860,
and in 1868 it was incorporated under
the general laws of Illinois But its
charter Was not received until Feb 16,
1865. The college was at Chicago from
1860 to '63, Paxton, ILL.,, from 1868 to
to 1875, when it was permanently located
at Rock Island.
The prese mt grounds consist of 1S3
acres of picturesque bluff land command
ing fine view of the island and the iri-
cities, and situated midway between the
business centers of Moline and Rock ISIS
and, within few rods of the street rail,
way, They front on Seventh avenue
which runs directly east and west, and
extend to the south into the pleasant
woodlands. A spring branch runs north>
erly across the west part of the grounds.
The front part is slightly elevated above
the general level of the cities, while Zion
Hill is elevated above the front about 100
feet.
The old college building. The one now
used, was erected in 1875 at cost of
S49. 900. The main part of the first floor
is devoted to a CHIP ell, second floor library
and museum, third floor, students rooms;
east wing, first floor, recitation rooms,
faculty room; second and third floors,
students rooms; west wing, first floor.
professors department; second and third
floors. students rooms The basement is
occupied as boarding department
When the new building is completed. the
present library, chapel and museum will
be arranged as students rooms.
The new structure for which the foun.
dation walls are now laid, is situated or
the knoll just west of the present build,
ing. 1t will be of brick, with stone base
ment, as is the case with the present
structure; three stories in heighth will
four wings projecting north, south easI
and west. The new building when com
pleted will cost in the neighborhood OF
S55 900 and will be devoted to the pur.
poses OF instruction exclusively. 1t will
be ready for occupancy by the middle o
October.
, Besides these structures there ar
situated on the grounds, a doubl
residence for members of the facult'
erected at cost of Sc, 900; a professor
residence worth $500 and Jubilee hal
which cost $1,000. This building has
seating capacity of 1900, and is used 70
musical entertainments, commencement
exercises, and also is gymnasium.
The officers of the board of director
, are Rev. ErIand Carlson, president Mr.
!, Nelson Chester, secretary; Mr. ]. N. Wis
trand, treasurer. The general faculty ha
the following officers: Rev T. N. Has
selquist, president; Rev. c. o. Granel
vice president; A. W. Williamson, secrt
tary.
If Augustana college continues to groV
in the future as it has in the past, it Wi
: not be many years before it will ran
d among the first of the theological inst
; tutes of the world 1t has had much I
: contend with, and is deserving of prais
! for the high standard of attainment it ha
e reached. Rock Island and Moline wi
:, ever look upon Augustana with pride.