In a move that no other public university in the U.S. had ever done, SUI’s first year’s enrollment of 124 students (1856) included 41 women! That’s one-third of the total class! You see, from the very beginning, Iowa City has been a beacon for freedom and equality – a place where men and women of all color, race, religion, or national origin can be treated equally. In 1857, The Great Financial Panic, combined with the move of the state capital to Des Moines, put a real cramp on businesses in Iowa City. The Park House – located across from City Park and just one block from Capitol Square – was a thriving hotel catering to those coming to town to interact with state government. When the financial crash hit, the owner – Ferdinand Haberstroh – closed the Park House, and in 1861, his widow – Mary Haberstroh – donated the property to the Sisters of Charity (BVM), with the condition of it being transformed into a cutting-edge educational haven for women. Over the next fifty years (1862-1911), St. Agatha’s School/Seminary joined the State University of Iowa (SUI) in making Iowa City into one of the most opportune places in the nation when it came to attaining equality in education for women.
CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE BLOG SERIES – Iowa City’s Top 50 Influencers – Part II
Back in 1979 – The Iowa City Press Citizen ran a special seven-page section called Chronology 1841/1979 and it featured Iowa City’s famed historian – Irving Weber – and his look at 25 People Who Left Their Stamp On Iowa City. So, here we are – forty-four years later – and now, I’m offering these two posts – dedicated to those who have greatly influenced our city over the first 100 years or so. This page features the First 25, and as you can see, each of the 25 names has a brief overview with a link(s) to read more, if you like. Enjoy!
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I remember my Grandmother Carson saying she either attended or graduated from St Agatha’s, which would have been about 1888 or ‘89. I also believe she attended the University, but did not graduate, probably because she got married.
That’s so cool, David. Sounds like St. Agatha’s was quite the progressive place for women in its day!