Lane University

Lane University was a college located in Lecompton, Kansas. It was founded in 1865 by Rev. Solomon Weaver, the first president, and was named after U.S. Senator James H. Lane. There is an irony in the naming as Jim Lane was a main free-state leader and Lecompton was previously the capital of the opposing pro-slavery faction. Local verbal folklore is that a funding drive to construct the university promised to name it after the major contributor. Alledgely, James H. Lane made the largest pledge, received the namesake honor, and then defaulted on the promise. The university was on the former land of the Kansas Territorial Capitol and utilized the abandoned foundation of what was started with the intention of being the eventual State Capitol.

For most of its history, Lane was a private United Brethren college. Almost all of the presidents were pastors. In 1900, less than 200 students were enrolled. In 1902 Lane University was united with Campbell University to form Campbell College.

Today Lane University is a museum known as Lane University & Territorial Capital Museum, and is dedicated to Kansas history before the Civil War. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lane University is not to be confused with Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee.

External links

* [http://www.lecomptonkansas.com/index.php?doc=tcm.php Lane University & Territorial Capital Museum]