Property Record
20869 S 12TH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Main Hall - Gale College |
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| Other Name: | Old Main Historical and Community Arts Center |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 51668 |
| Location (Address): | 20869 S 12TH ST |
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| County: | Trempealeau |
| City: | Galesville |
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| Year Built: | 1859 |
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| Additions: | 1881C. 1884 |
| Survey Date: | 1983 |
| Historic Use: | university or college building |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | Samuel S. Luce; C.g. Maybury & Son |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Gale College Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 2/14/1997 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: | Multiple Resources of Galesville |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' (Gale College Historic District) exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. This three-story structure was originalldy a two-story Italianate building which was constructed in 1859-1892. The original Italianate features (bracketed eaves, small, decorative entry porch, and elaborate cupola) highlighted the stone building. A third story of matching stone was added in 1881 and following a fire in 1884, the building was remodeled to its current appearance. The building currently resembles the late 19th century style of the remodeling with an elaborate Victorian cornice, smaller cupola, and more elaborate entry porch. The intereior is highlighted with a dark wooden staircase and wood wainscotting throughout the interior. This building is an excellent example of the changing architectural styles of the mid and late 19th century and is significant for this reason. It is the best example of local stone construction in Galesville and one of the most elaborate buildings in teh area. Because of its high integrity, it is significant to the multiple resources raea and pivotal in this district. This is the original building of Galesville University, founded in 1854 by George Gale, the founder of Galesville and a significant developer of Trempealeau County in the mid-19th Century. Galesville University was one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the State of Wisconsin. In 1859 Gale brought Reverend Samuel Fallows, recently graduated from the embryonic University of Wisconsin, to servew as preceptor for the school, which had been placed under the control of the Methodist denomination. Classes were conducted in teh little frame courthouse north of the public square until this building was ready for occupancy. After Judge Gale died in 1868, the school lacked adequate financial management, and by 1877, control of the school passed to the Presbytery who built a frame dormitory and a third story to this building. The school, now called Gale College, had an academic course of study. At the turn of the century, the Presbyterian denonination tu5rned its Church interest to Carroll College in Waukesha, and the Norwegian Synod Lutheran Church took over the school in 1902 and operated it successfully for 37 years. During this time the vrame dormitory was replaced by the boy's dormitory and the ladies hall. The Norwegian Lutherans were a dominant group in the Galesvillee area and supported the college, including its population as members of the Galesville Trinity Lutheran Church, a significant Norwegian Lutheran congregation. The college failed during the Depression years and in 1941 the entire complex was purchased by the Society of Mary, and the present novitiate and retreat center, Marynook, was established. IN 2013 THIS BUILDING STILL RETAINS HIGH INTEGRITY. A Historic Structure Report of this building can be found in Room 312 at the Wisconsin Historical Society. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Galesville Independent, Sept. 3, 1885. B. The Galesville Centennial, 1954. C. Wisconsin Industrial Review-Galesville Edition, Vol. XIV, No. 164, Aug. 1913, p. 15. D. Original Architectural Drawings in possession of the owner. E. Arthur F. Giere, MSS, "Brief History of Galesville University," Archives of Marynook Academy (Sept. 1940), p. 17. F. Lucinda Morken, "A History of Galesville university," Encounters, Vol. 1, No. 4, March 1973, p. 69: Vol. 1, No. 3. Galesville Republican 4/9/1998. LaCrosse Tribune 5/28/2002. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |