South Kentucky College, originally South Kentucky Institute and later renamed McLean College, was a finishing school for girls founded in 1849 that became a co-educational college before closing by 1914, located in Belmont Hill in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.[1] It was the second all-female institution of higher learning in the state, after the Kentucky Female Orphan School (now Midway University).
| South Kentucky College | |
|---|---|
 South Kentucky College (1879), right corner features teacher Sophia H. Schooler | |
| Location | |
Belmont Hill, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| Information | |
| Established | 1849 |
| Closed | 1914 |
History
edit
The South Kentucky Institute received its charter from the state legislature in February 1849, under the leadership of nine trustees.[2][3] All of the trustees at the time of founding were affiliated with the Christian Church, also known as the Church of the Disciples.[2] John M. Barnes served as the first president.[2] The school was established in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in autumn 1849 as a finishing school for girls, located in the basement of the Christian Church in downtown.[4][2][5] After the death of president Barnes in 1851, the second president of the school was Enos Campbell.[2] In 1858, South Kentucky College built its first campus, designed by architect Nathan Kelley.[4][3][6] By 1879, the school instruction included vocal, music, elocution, and physical education.[5] The school began admitting men in 1880 and was officially renamed South Kentucky College by the state.[3][7] From 1884 to 1891, James Edward Scobey served as president of the school.[8]
In 1908, the school was renamed to McLean College, in honor of the missionary Archibald McLean.[3][9] A 1912 fire destroyed the school, and the rebuilding effort extinguished its finances.[4] In 1913, the campus was plagued with typhoid.[6] The school was acquired by Transylvania University in January 1914.[3] Transylvania University subdivided the school's land and sold it as housing lots.[10] In 1949, the school campus property was bought by the city school system and opened as Belmont Elementary School.[6]
Sophia H. Schooler taught elocution and physical culture at the school. Elizabeth M. Herman headed the music department.[11]
Legacy
editThe Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives at the Kentucky State Archives hold records of the school.[3] A postcard of the college exists in the Special Collections, at Western Kentucky University.[12]
Alumni
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Coursey, James B. (September 16, 2020). "Belmont Hill: Hopkinsville's highest elevation spot dedicated to learning". Kentucky New Era. OCLC 14064300. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ a b c d e Lewis, Alvin Fayette (1899). History of Higher Education in Kentucky. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 169–173.
- ^ a b c d e f "McLean College (Hopkinsville, Ky.)". Social Networks and Archival Context.
- ^ a b c Alleyne, Zirconia; Pace, Eli; Brown, Jennifer P. (May 21, 2015). "Bittersweet last day at schools marked for closure". Kentucky New Era. OCLC 14064300. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ a b "Expression in the South: Literature, Elocution, Vocal Music, and Physical Culture". Werner's Magazine. XXV (4). Music Teachers National Association (contributions). Edgar S. Werner Publishing & Supply Company: 347, 362. June 1879 – via hathitrust.org.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b c Coursey, James B. (February 19, 2011). "The builders of History Famous architects behind several city structures". Kentucky New Era. OCLC 14064300. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ "Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky". State of Kentucky. April 14, 1880 – via Google Books.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Scott, Harp (2022). "James Edward Scobey (1834-1923)". History of the Restoration Movement. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ "McLean College, Name of South Kentucky College is Changed – Reasons Are Set Forth". news.google.com. Weekly Kentucky New Era. July 10, 1908. OCLC 14064300.
- ^ Bischoff, Helen. "Transy History: Our Name". Special Collections & Archives, Transy Library, Transylvania University. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ "Expressions of the South". Werner's Magazine. 25: 362. 1900.
- ^ "South Kentucky College". Special Collections, Western Kentucky University.
- ^ "Major General Logan Feland of the U.S. Marines owes roots to Kentucky State Guard". Kentucky Guard. Retrieved 2022-09-13.