EASTERN NORMAL SCHOOL
An institution designed to qualify teachers for giving instruction in the public schools, located at Charleston, Coles County. Under an act of the Legislature passed at the session of 1895.
The act appropriated $50,000 for the erection of buildings to which additional appropriations were added in 1897 and 1898 of $25,000 and $50,000 respectively with $56,216.72 contributed by the city of Charleston, making a total of $181,216.72.
The building was begun in 1896, the corner stone being laid on May 27 of that year. There was delay in the progress of the work in consequence of the failure of the contractors in December 1896, but the work was resumed in 1876 and practically completed in 1899, with the expectation that the institution would be opened for the reception of students in September following.