The cost of completing and furnishing this beautiful temple of learning, which was erected in 1887 and is illustrated in these columns, was $30,000. Its halls are occupied by four hundred and thirty-four pupils, and presided over by a principal and five capable assistants.

"The citizens of Chadron are also making strenous efforts to secure a state normal school and a collegiate institution. They are pretty certain to succeed in both aims. The college which will be conducted under the auspices

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

of the Congregational denomination, and the founding of which is practically assured, is to cost, when completed, around $100,000.00. Successful in all past enterprises, there is every reason to believe that these citizens will be likewise successful in their ambition to make Chadron an educational center."

The above extract shows that from its very beginning Chadron has been an educational center of the fertile region lying beyond the Nebraska sand hills and extending into South Dakota and Wyoming. The hoped-for Congregational school came, served its purpose well and gave way to the Chadron State Normal school. The growth of the public schools has been steady. The original school building is still in good condition and at slight expense could be made as good as new. It is used for the high school and for the grade children of

built about four years ago. It is of pressed brick and stone. Owing to lack of funds, some of the rooms have never been finished. The school board has called a special election for the 22nd of June for the purpose of raising the necessary funds to complete these rooms and to make repairs in the high school building. When this building is completed it will be one of the finest ward buildings in the state.