Albion State Normal School

Infobox_nrhp | name =Albion Normal School Campus
nrhp_type =


caption =
location= Albion, Idaho
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 24
lat_seconds = 48
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 113
long_minutes = 35
long_seconds = 2
long_direction = W
locmapin = Idaho
area =
built =1894
architect= Multiple
architecture= Colonial Revival, Late Victorian, Other
added = November 28, 1980
governing_body = Local
refnum=80001298 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Albion State Normal School was an institution of higher learning located in Albion, Idaho at coord|42|24|48|N|113|35|02|W|. The school was established by the Idaho State Legislature in 1893, as one of two Normal Schools in the state. (The other, in Lewiston, Idaho, is now Lewis-Clark State College.) Citizens of Albion had actively lobbied for the school's establishment, and donated land and labor for the new campus.

The school remained a small institution throughout its history, focusing on the training of teachers and drawing its student body primarily from south-central Idaho. Albion Normal offered a two-year teacher training program until 1947, when it was renamed "Southern Idaho College of Education" (SICE) and authorized to confer baccalaureate degrees. The school remained troubled by low enrollment and a lack of funding, however, and was finally closed by the state in 1951.

During its existence, Albion Normal awarded some 6,460 degrees. Perhaps the most notable alumnus of the college was Terrel Bell (1921-1996), who served as United States Secretary of Education from 1981 to 1984.

The college's athletic teams were known as the "Teachers" until 1935, when they became the "Panthers." School colors were Cardinal and Black, and the annual student yearbook was called "The Sage."

After SICE closed in 1951, the campus remained vacant until 1957, when Magic Valley Christian College opened at the site. Magic Valley Christian, in turn, closed in 1969. The campus was deeded to the city of Albion the following year, which continued to maintain the grounds while alternative uses for the property were explored. Finally, the empty and deteriorating property was sold at public auction on June 2, 2007; a group of Idaho investors were successful with a bid of $810,000. The new owners have begun rehabilitating a portion of the campus to serve as a conference and retreat center, called "Campus Grove at Albion."cite web|url=http://www.albioncampusgrove.com/|title=Campus Grove at Albion|accessdate=2008-06-28]

The campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.albionvalley.com/campus.htm Albion State Normal School & SICE] at AlbionValley.com
* [http://www.albioncampusgrove.com Campus Grove at Albion]