There has been no measure before the Legislature this past winter in which our people have felt so deep and lively an interest as that making provision for the erection of a State Normal School building at this place. (The Mankato Union, Friday, March 15, 1867, Page 2)
We learn from the Mankato Record that the State Normal School Board, consisting of Rev. Mr. Parker, Dr. McMasters, Gen. Andrews, Mr. Blodgett, Daniel Buck, Esq., and Phelps, Principal of the Winona Normal School, met at Mankato of Thursday last, to select a site for the Second State Normal School, which is located at that place. A fractional block fronting on Fifth street and extending from Hickory to Cherry, containing nearly three acres, and owned by Mr. David Lines, suited the Board in everything except its triangular shape... (Winona Daily Republican, Tuesday, July 21, 1868, Page 3)
Work has commenced on the Second State Normal School at Mankato. (Winona Daily Republican, Tuesday, May 18, 1869, Page 1)
The laying of the corner stone of the second State Normal School at Mankato took place last week, accompanied with music, speeches and marches. (Shakopee Weekly Argus, Thursday, July 1, 1869, Page 1)
At the head of Jackson street, on Fifth, stands the new normal school building, not yet complete inside. It stands on the first bench of the grand old bluff that walls in the city form the land side, overlooking pleasantly the residences and business bustle beneath. The building is 126x116 feet, three stories, besides basement, and embellished with two towers 120 feet high, with cupolas; the building is furnished with a Mansard roof, and is an ornament to the city and State. The entire number of rooms is 46, and is intended to accommodate 600 pupils. The basement story is of stone, and the superstructure of native brick, with cut stone corners, window-dressings, and outside steps. The building was commenced in June, 1869, is now enclosed, floors laid, partitions now being set. The appropriations contemplate furnishing grading and fencing of grounds, &c., and is estimated, when all complete, to cost $75,000. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the architect and contractor of this building for the tasty manner in which it was designed, and substantial manner of its construction. W. P. Boardman was the architect, and he has lately received orders for a draught of the Third Normal School building, to be erected at St. Cloud. Lewis J. Lewis is the contractor; Hon. Daniel Buck, member of the State Normal Board, James Brown, Esq., and L. C. Harrington, all of Mankato, were the building committee. The building here will be completed ready for occupancy by September, 1870, and is generally conceded to be economically built. (Minneapolis Daily Tribune, Tuesday, January 18, 1870, Page 3)
The Mankato Union of last week published a neat cut of the Normal School at that place. It is a pretty, tasteful building, and though not adorned with the air of expense that sticks out all over the Winona structure, is highly creditable to the State; and the presentation of it to the public is highly creditable to the Union. (Rochester Post, Saturday, September 17, 1870, Page 2)