Historic Philomath College Building

The board's sixty-two years leave out the quarter century when this town had two colleges. In 1889 a doctrinal split in the United Brethren Church divided Philomath's faculty, students and townspeople into liberals and radicals. The liberals kept this brick building. The radicals, led by former president James Keezel and backed by the town's founder, William Wyatt, opened the College of Philomath a few blocks away and finished its building in 1890. It closed in 1913, and in 1922 Philomath College bought its rival's building for a music conservatory. The brick building now holds the Benton County Historical Museum.

What the plaque says

Historic Philomath College Building Philomath College was chartered November, 1865, as the United Brethren School for Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and California. The name combines two Greek words meaning love of learning. The building's center structure was completed in September, 1867, of bricks made from clay extracted near the building. The center structure is 40 x 60 feet with 2 feet thick walls. The west wing was completed in 1905, the east wing in 1907. The coeducational college offered a classical curriculum which reflected pioneer dedication to education. After 62 years and more than 6,000 students, Philomath College closed in June 1929. Named for the college, the city of Philomath grew up about the campus. Philomath College building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U. S. Department of the Interior December 1972. Historic Site No. 385 This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Shipley Family Homestead — 1.4 mi
• Camp Adair — 14 mi
• Brownsville — 22 mi