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Racine College & DeKoven Center

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  • Racine College Founded

    Racine College Founded
    Racine College was first conceived at an Episcopal Church conference held in Milwaukee in 1851. Bishop Jackson Kemper became a founder of the college even before a site had been laid out. Prominent citizens of Racine, including Marshall Strong and Dr. Elias Smith, successfully lobbied to have the college built in their city and raised funds for a rural six-acre site on a bluff overlooking the lake. The state legislature granted the institution a charter on March 3, 1852.

  • Park Hall Constructed

    Park Hall Constructed
    Park Hall was named for Roswell Park, a founder of Racine College and its first President. The cornerstone was laid in May 1852 and completed September 1852. It was the only completed building while Dr. Park was President.

  • Kemper Hall Consructed

    Kemper Hall Consructed
    Kemper Hall was named for Bishop Jackson Kemper, a founder of Racine College. Lucas Bradley, one of Racine's most prominent architects, was chosen to design the building, which he chose to make "a twin to the first". The cornerstone was laid in 1857 and completed in the autumn of 1859.