Lincoln Normal University

One of the six colleges that had its beginnings in Marion as the Lincoln Normal University, also sometimes called the State Normal University and State Colored University. 

The University had its beginnings on July 18, 1867, when it was incorporated as the "Lincoln School of Marion" for colored children by the following trustees:  James Childs, Alexander H. Curtis, Nicholas Dale, John Freeman, Davis Harris, Thomas Lee, Nathan Levern, Ivey Pharish, and Thomas Speed. 

In a letter to the Editor of the Marion Standard, January 12, 1887, Mr. Stephen Childs, "the only endorsed member of the Board of Trustees, and also, to some extent, a representative of my people," gave a brief history of the school.  He wrote that, in the beginning, an acre of land was purchased from "Hon. Porter King for $400, of which he kindly donated $50."  Thereupon, the American Missionary Association furnished the material and the local men furnished the labor for a building valued at $3,000.  

The School was operated by the American Missionary Society until 1873, when the State of Alabama offered to establish a normal school and university permanently.  Mr. Childs wrote, "At length, after weeks of anxious deliberation and trusting the assurance of friendship pledged by some of the best white citizens of Marion, consent was given, and the Lincoln Normal University was established."  It was then that the school was "entirely under the control of the State Board of Trustees and stands alone in the State, and probably in the South in this respect."  At that time, the State Board of Education established a teacher training program at the school.  

The University prospered on both the upper and lower levels of education.  According to advertisements placed in the Marion Standard during July and August, 1886, the following appeared: 

State Normal University
A State University for Colored Students
It has Collegiate, Normal and Industrial Departments
It offers superior advantages for education, in a beautiful location and healthful climate. 
Its Industrial, which includes Printing, Carpentry, Sewing and Dressmaking is not excelled anywhere.
Next term opens October 1, 1886.
              -- William B. Patterson, President

In a visit by a group from the State Press, as described in a letter to the Editor of the Marion Standard, June 1, 1886, the visitors reported that there were 430 students, 20 graduates and over 200 boarding students that year.  They went on to say that the "Institute prints two monthly papers, has practical workshops and a sewing school." 

However, in 1887, there was a move to relocate the university part of the School.  The Alabama Senate passed a bill to "establish the Alabama university for colored people wherever the commissioners, to be appointed by the Governor for that purpose, shall decide."  Funds were appropriated for a building and eventually Montgomery was selected as the site.  It is interesting to note this was about the same time that the decision was made to move Howard College from Marion to Birmingham. 

The University name was changed several times over the years and in 1969 it became officially known as Alabama State University.  The non-college part of Lincoln Normal School continued in Marion until 1970, at which time it was consolidated with Francis Marion High School.  A more detailed history of the Lincoln Normal School, written by Mrs. Idella Childs, with pictures, can be found in The Perry County Heritage, Vol. I, available through the Perry County Historical and Preservation Society. 

-Dr. Paul G. Reitzer
Perry County Historical and Preservation Society