Colleges

Colleges in Webster City

by

Martin E. Nass

The first college in Webster City was the Webster CIty College of Business that was opened in 1899 by Prof. J. F. Robinson. It was located on the second floor of the business at 602 Second Street. Miss Emma Robinson, daughter of the professor, was the only teacher in addition to the owner. The college operated in 1899 and 1900. Principal courses offered were commercial subjects.

Webster City Business College was the name of the second college in Webster City. It was opened in 1914 by Prof. Barger, who also operated a business college in Waterloo, Boone, and Des Moines. It offered accounting and secretarial courses. The first year enrollment numbered 40 students. About 100 students enrolled in 1915. This college was held on the third floor of the building of 507-511 Second Street. The first floor housed the J. S. Bateman Grocery, the William Hahne Shoe Store, and the American Express office. The second floor housed apartments and offices. Before the college moved to the third floor, it was hoe to the Harry Keating Cigar Factory.

The college tuition was $100 per year. The 1914 city directory lists E. W. Shilling as manager. Robert Maxon was a student the first year and became a faculty member the second year. Other students attending this college were Cliff Segar, Ben Segar, George Alexander, Carl Ainslie, Ed Miller, Pearl Paine, Margaret LeRoy, Melbourne Boughton, Bessie Segar, Myron Paine, Ellen Schaffer, Hazel Russell, and William Yungclas.

Webster City Junior College was the third college. It was founded in 1926 and was housed for a time in the Washington Central Building on the third floor. After the new high school was built, the college moved into the Lincoln Building, taking over the entire building. The highest enrollement was about 180 students in the two-year program. Clark Mollenhoff, one of Webster City's Pulitzer Prize winners was a graduate of our junior college before transferring to Drake University to major in Journalism and Law. Mr. Mollenhoff returned to the community to give the final commencement address in 1965.