Highland Park College or Des Moines University

Taber Collection The Panic of 1893 wreaked havoc on Highland Park College. The financial problems culminated with the property's sale at auction two years later. During this uncertainty, the Arts and Science Building sat without a roof. Stability arrived with new ownership (and the roof was finished). Located at the corners of Oxford Street and Euclid Avenue, this building housed classes, the library, and the gymnasium where the ceiling was so low, that basketball players banked shots off the ceiling....

Arts & Science Building (1911) Taber Collection The Panic of 1893 wreaked havoc on Highland Park College. The financial problems culminated with the property’s sale at auction two years later. During this uncertainty, the…

HPC Commercial Banquet (1912)

HPC Commercial Banquet (1912) Lisa Taber Collection

Fellows Playing Cards c. 1910

Fellows Playing Cards c. 1910 College guys playing poker in Johnston Hall at Highland Park College.

After the Panic of 1893, the college became insolvent and fell into receivership. A college out of Illinois snatched it up and put C.C. Rearick as president forcing the long time president, O.H. Longwell out.

Highland Park College Letterhead (1899) After the Panic of 1893, the college became insolvent and fell into receivership. A college out of Illinois snatched it up and put C.C. Rearick as president forcing the long time president, O.H. Lo…

Administration Building (1915)

Administration Building (1915) Visit the post for more.

Due to the riots, the seniors of 1929 never saw graduation at Des Moines University. Neither would any other class. On May 17, 1929, the juniors and seniors got together at the Younkers' Team Room to celebrate anyway. Below is a program from the event... 1930 Junior Senior Banquet by

1930 Junior/Senior Banquet Due to the riots, the seniors of 1929 never saw graduation at Des Moines University. Neither would any other class. On May 17, 1929, the juniors and seniors got together at the Younkers’ Team…

Here's a commencement invitation addressed to W.J. Stekel of Bloomfield, Iowa, 1893. 1893 - Highland Park Normal College Commencement by l1188

Highland Park Normal College Commencement (1893) Here’s a commencement invitation addressed to W.J. Stekel of Bloomfield, Iowa, 1893. 1893 – Highland Park Normal College Commencement by l1188

Here’s a letter from Cyrus Edgington, a student at Highland Park Normal College to his sweetheart, Alice ‘Ada’ in November 1890. Thank you, Helen, for sharing this wonderful letter. Cyrus Edgington Letter, November 1890 by l1188

Cyrus I.Edgington, (H.P.N.C., 1890). Here’s a letter from Cyrus Edgington, a student at Highland Park  Normal College to his sweetheart, Alice ‘Ada’ in November 1890.   Thank you, Helen, for sharing this wonderful letter. &n…

There were many things college students could do for fun in 1892. One of them was join the Athenian Literary Society. Athenian Lit Society by

Athenian Literary Society (1892) There were many things college students could do for fun in 1892. One of them was join the Athenian Literary Society. Athenian Lit Society by

Over the years, Highland Park College had several name changes. Originally it was called Highland Park Normal College. ‘Normal’ was a name associated with teachers. The founding president, O.H. Longwell’s main goal was to provide the best schooling available for educators so they could pass it along to their students. The book below is both a souvenir and an advertisement to the college published somewhere between 1890-1894. Take a look… 1892_SouvenirBook by l1188

Souvenir Booklet (1892) Over the years, Highland Park College had several name changes. Originally it was called Highland Park Normal College. ‘Normal’ was a name associated with teachers. The founding president, O.H. Lon…

This is a twelve page advertisement. It summarizes what the college had to offer (Colleges, Tuition Costs, & Classes) on June 15, 1900. HPC Messenger V1N8

The Messenger Vol. 1 No. 8 (1900) This is a twelve page advertisement. It summarizes what the college had to offer (Colleges, Tuition Costs, & Classes) on June 15, 1900. HPC Messenger V1N8

Pennants are still an excellent way to display school spirit. Here’s one (l. left) from Highland Park College. It was manufactured by A.T. McHaffie in Des Moines, Iowa, circa 1910. (Right) are three men unknown men in a HPC dorm room circa 1910.

Highland Park College Pennant Pennants are still an excellent way to display school spirit. Here’s one (l. left) from Highland Park College. It was manufactured by A.T. McHaffie in Des Moines, Iowa, circa 1910. (Right) are thre…