Racine College Historical Marker, DeKoven Center Stock Photography

In 1851 the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin sought to establish a college in Wisconsin. Milwaukee and Racine competed to be the first to secure $6,000 and a minimum of six acres. Racine won with a subscription of $10,000 and a donation of a ten-acre lakeside site described as `a beautiful one, on the southern margin of Racine, traversed by the main street of the city, in an oak grove, fronting on Lake Michigan, and commanding an extensive view of the lake, in its ever varying phases.` The college opened in 1852. In 1859 Reverend James DeKoven became President. Based on his visits to England, he instituted a `family` style of education, where professors lived and prayed with their students, which proved highly popular. Innovations like this led to the school being described as `the most important church institute west of the Allegheny Mountains.`The marker is located on the campus of The DeKoven Center, located at 600 21st Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403.