Peru State College
Peru State College was founded in 1867 as Nebraska’s first college and was the third teacher education institution established west of the Missouri River. For more than a century, thousands of people have crossed the Campus of a Thousand Oaks to become teachers and leaders in Nebraska and throughout the nation.
1867-06-20 00:00:00
Became Nebraska State Normal School
Opened as the brand-new state's first state supported college, the Normal School was primarily established to train educators.
1867-10-24 19:27:54
J.M. McKenzie
J.M. McKenzie becomes the first principal of the Normal School.
1867-10-24 21:40:12
First Classes Held
First Classes Held at Nebraska State Normal School with 32 Pupils.
1870-05-01 00:00:00
Two students receive diplomas from the State Normal School
1871-01-10 13:01:12
Henry H. Straight
J.M. McKenzie was elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Henry H. Straight succeeded McKenzie.
1871-09-05 06:45:36
A.N. Williams
Straight was relieved of his command and A.N. Williams arrived in Peru to be the next principal.
1872-09-21 22:00:00
Gen. Thomas J. Morgan
The Board of Education was displeased with William's performance so they hand-picked the next principal, Thomas J. Morgan.
1873-01-01 00:00:00
Normal "on the hill" was built
This building was known as the castle. It housed early education classes.
1874-04-17 10:04:30
W.E. Wilson (Interim)
Wilson acted as interim principal until the next principal was able to arrive.
1874-07-10 11:36:18
Azel Freeman
Principal Azel Freeman's stay at Peru was brief and was with the school only until the beginning of the 1875-1876 term.
1875-09-22 15:27:36
Albert Nichols
Following Freeman was principal Albert Nichols. His stay was also short and left the school in October 1875.
1875-10-07 03:18:36
S.R. Thompson
S.R. Thompson was superintendent of the Agricultural College at Lincoln before he was elected principal at Peru. His stay ended in 1877 when became State Superintendent.
1877-01-01 21:40:12
1877 Tuition Bill
A bill is pushed through to charge all students a $5 matriculation fee to buy more books. This was the only tuition at the time.
1877-02-07 23:38:24
Dr. Robert Curry
Dr. Robert Curry came from the post of deputy state superintendent of public instruction in Pennsylvania. He retired in 1883 when the enrollment totaled 318.
1883-01-17 16:47:06
George Farnham
Farnham left his superintendency of the Council Bluffs Schools to lead Peru for the next ten years.
1885-01-01 21:40:12
"Golden Years"
Due to the school's rapid growth, these years were considered the "Golden Years"
1889-01-01 21:40:12
1889 New Library and Heating Plant
The Legislature appropriated $13,000 for a library building and a new heating plant.
1889-01-01 21:40:12
1894
Out of the 556 students attending Peru's college, 382 were women.
1893-01-05 12:42:18
Prof. A. Wellington Norton
Norton came to Peru all the way from New York. He was previously staffed at the Normal School at Oswego. Under his leadership, music became a prominent offering.
1896-01-06 06:09:54
James A. Beattie
Under Beattie's leadership and administration, summer school resumed and the first telephone line came to town.
1897-01-01 21:40:12
Mt. Vernon Hall Rebuilt
The Mt. Vernon Dormitory was reconstructed after a fire destroyed much of it.
1899-06-17 08:32:42
1899 Summer School
160 students were enrolled in summer school.
1900-06-14 16:47:42
1900 Summer School
331 students were enrolled in summer school.
1900-08-10 05:24:36
Dr. W.A. Clark
Before becoming principal of Peru, Clark was a teacher from 1895-1898.
1902-01-01 00:00:00
1902 Golden Rod Yearbook
1904-08-24 16:32:24
Prof. J.W. Crabtree
Crabtree graduated in 1887 and was the first Peru graduate to head the College.
1907-01-01 00:00:00
1907 Oak Leaf Yearbook
1910-01-01 00:00:00
1910 Peruvian Yearbook
1910-06-06 10:17:06
D.W. Hayes
Replacing Crabtree after his resignation was D.W. Hayes. He was a member of the Board of Education and superintendent of the Alliance schools.
1911-01-01 00:00:00
1911 Peruvian Yearbook
1911-04-17 00:00:00
New Administration Building Finished
The completion of the new administration building was finished.
1913-01-01 00:00:00
1913 Peruvian Yearbook
1914-01-01 00:00:00
1914 Peruvian Yearbook
1915-01-01 00:00:00
1915 Peruvian Yearbook
1917-01-01 00:00:00
1917 Peruvian Yearbook
1917-01-10 16:44:24
T.J. Majors Building Completed
The T.J. Majors Campus School was completed in January, 1917.
1917-04-06 03:37:30
U.S. Enters World War I
1918-01-01 00:00:00
1918 Peruvian Yearbook
1918-03-25 21:35:42
Prof. E.L. Rouse
Prof. E.L. Rouse was already a member of the faculty when he became president.
1919-01-01 00:00:00
1919 Peruvian Yearbook
1920-01-01 00:00:00
1920 Peruvian Yearbook
1921-01-01 00:00:00
1921 Peruvian Yearbook
1921-06-01 21:40:12
Nebraska State Teachers College at Peru
Nebraska State Normal School changed its name to Nebraska State Teachers College at Peru.
1921-06-06 19:56:42
Peru Summer School
Summer school courses for State Normal School, June 6-July 29, 1921. Includes panorama of campus.
1921-12-18 17:16:48
Prof. A.L. Coviness
Succeeding Rouse was Prof. A.L. Coviness, superintendent of the Kearney schools.
1922-07-14 00:32:06
New Auditorium Built
1923-01-01 00:00:00
1923 Peruvian Yearbook
1923-02-27 23:33:54
W.R. Pate
W.R. Pate is the longest serving president of Peru State history.
1924-01-01 00:00:00
1924 Peruvian Yearbook
1926-01-01 00:00:00
1926 Peruvian Yearbook