University Missourian., 1909-02-25
History of School Recalled
When 1t Buys Back Its
First Home.
TT WAS FOUNDED IN 1853
Original Building Was Used
AS a Grist Mill, Then
Abandoned.

sity campus here stands an old stone
building commonly known among the
citizens of Baldwin as the "Old Castle"
For some years it was used as a grist
mill, but lately had been abandoned
entirely.
Newcomers in the town who did not
know the history of the old structure
looked upon it as an eyesOre and talked
about tearing it down. In fact, the peO-
pie of the town seemed almost to have
forgotten that this was the first build
ing of Baker university, where the
school was started in 1885,
A few weeks ago, however, the Rev.
Harry King, financial agent for Baker,
began campaign for the purchase and
refitting of the building into something
of its original form, and a short time
ago the deed was signed conveying to
the Kansas Educational association the
building and five town lots for the use
of Baker university
In 1856 the first Methodist conference
that ever met in Kansas was presided
over by Bishop Osman c. Baker, for
whom the school at Baldwin was after
wards named. This conference was
known as the Kansas and Nebraska mis-
sion conference, and at this conference
Bishop Baker expressed the hope that
a school might he established somewhere
in Eastern Kansas within the next few
years. In accordance with his sugges-
tions. in the following year number of
the preachers in the eastern part of the
state We're called together by the presid-
ing elders and organized the Kansas Ed
ucational association of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Origin of the School.
Later this body was chartered under
the name mentioned. the object. as
given in the charter. being to establish
schools of higher learning i'm Kansas and
especially one i'm Eastern Kansas, as
soon as possible.
On March II. 1887. meeting of the
association was held at Blue Mound,
just southeast of Lawrence, and PROPOSE
tiOns We're discussed concerning the
founding of school i'm Eastern Kansas.
At this meeting it was decided to found
college and that spring propositions
for the seat of the future Methodist col
lege were received from Topeka. Law
renee, Blue Mound. Palmyra, Prairie
City and Centropolis.
On account of an especially generous
proposition from the town company of
Palmyra. which has long since been alb
sOrbed by the town of Baldwin, this
place was selected as the site of the
prospective school. Plans were now laid
for the building of a structure suitable
for the purposes of university, and it
is an interesting fact that work had
actually begun on the building before a
charter was secured for the school.
I'm the summer of 1858 the building
was erected under the supervision of
the Rev. Nathan Taylor, who was at
that time treasurer of the Kansas Edu-
catiOnal association. Most of the work
was given free, man contributing so
many days work with team or quarry
ing stone so many days. In this way
the work was carried on. but the build
ing was not finished in time for the
opening of school until November of
1858. In this building the first presi-
dent was formally installed and the
and. standing three stories high. it had a
begun.
Its Appropriate Name.
From an architectural standpoint it
was not beautiful building. A struc-
ture forty feet long by twenty-four
feet wide. built of undressed limestone
and standing thre stories high, it had a
stern appearance. giving it the name of
the "Old Castle" which has clung to it
ever since. Owing to the urgent need
for building the castle was not erected
on the campus property which was Civ
en- by the Palmyra Town company, but
was erected little distance to the east
Some few years later it became neces-
sary to have more room and small.
two story addition was built on the
west end of the main building. which,
on account of its squatty appearance.
was promptly nicknamed the Kitchen"
by the students.
Even as late as 1860 the Castle was
practically the only building on the or
iginal townsite. In 1884 a new building
now known as Centenary hall, had been
started. but the college suddenly found
itself without funds to carry on the
work and the Castle was sold to raise
the money with which to complete this
building.