School History

It was in August of 1852 that a seemingly innocent visit to a friend in Keokuk, Iowa, resulted in the inspiration and formation of a unique educational opportunity. It was while in Keokuk that Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bacon were confronted by a group of citizens familiar with his founding of the School for the Blind in Jacksonville, Illinois. They urged Samuel Bacon to start a similar school in Iowa. A public meeting was held in which State Senator Judge Love promised to bring the subject before the next session of the legislature. Although not new, the concept to be initiated would soon produce a positive change in the lives of hundreds of blind Iowans. During the latter part of September, a house was rented in the south part of Keokuk, and Samuel Bacon began a private school, instructing three blind children at his own expense.

Samuel Bacon was a man of vision; a vision that is not limited only to the eyes, but a vision of the mind. Having been blind since the age of 12, Bacon had received his education from the Ohio School for the Blind, and much of his college education was self-taught. Before coming to Iowa, Bacon had founded the Illinois School for the Blind, serving as instructor and principal for nearly one and one-half years.

In December, Samuel Bacon traveled to the state capital in Iowa City, taking Mary Bushnell, a student, with him. Judge Love prepared a bill, then introduced and secured its passage in the Senate. In the House, James Grimes (later Governor) proposed a substitute bill to establish an “Asylum for the Blind” in Iowa City. The alternate bill passed both houses and was approved on January 18, 1853. The following April, the new school opened in Iowa City.

Students admitted to the school were divided into three classes:

1. persons between seven and 22 years of age;

2. persons between 22 and 35 years of age for instruction in some trade only; and

3. such persons from out of state who must pay $35.00 a quarter, in advance for board and tuition.

The “Asylum” remained in session for 14 continuous months, and by the closing for vacation, 23 pupils had been admitted. Understandably, these first students did not arrive all at once. The school started with one pupil in April and gained approximately two to three students every month after that.

Tuition to the school was not entirely free, for records indicate that $2,000.00 was appropriated from the legislature, and $2,889.00 was received from tuition. Tuition was free only for the very poor and indigent. Qualifying parents had to be put through the embarrassment of providing proof of their inability to pay in order that their children could be admitted without cost. Samuel Bacon felt the provision was totally unfair, and among his initial proposals was the removal of any “distinction between rich and poor.” The law was later amended in 1855 to entitle all eligible Iowa residents an education at the expense of the state.

The first report of the Board of Overseers also included a request to change the name of the school. Believing the name “Asylum” inappropriate, they suggested the school be called the “Institution for the Instruction of the Blind.” They also requested a larger facility to house at least 50 pupils, since the school had outgrown its first building.

The Board of Trustees, formerly called the Board of Overseers, reported in 1856 that the school was renting its fourth building in Iowa City. The first building used by the “Asylum” had been a seven-room house, known as the Fisher House, located on the bank of the Iowa River. As previously mentioned, it was soon outgrown; therefore, before cold weather set in, the school was moved to its second location. This was a large brick building, known as the old Land Office, situated on the corner of College and Johnson Streets. The old Land Office was quite satisfactory, but the owner chose not to extend the lease. After one year, the school had to be moved once more, this time to the Andrews House. The Johnson County History also states that the school was established in a building located on the corner of Linn and Bloomington Streets. The same site was later occupied by the Slezak Hotel (Holub Apartments). The authors assume this building to be the fourth location referred to in the Board of Trustees’ report, since both sources indicate no other moves until the one to Vinton.

After four moves, the request for a permanent location seemed reasonable. To encourage their request, Robert Walker, President of the Board, suggested that a site be selected near the newly-founded state university. He reasoned that close access to the university library would be an advantage. The staff had grown to include new people and a former student as instructors. Salaries were paid quarterly (every three months); room and board were furnished.

Information on the number of blind people within the state was difficult to obtain during 1858; therefore, increasing the school’s enrollment was slower than desired. Still, the Board of Trustees requested a larger, permanent facility. This prompted Governor James Grimes to state that it would be “more economical to provide for their education in some other state, than to maintain the school ... in Iowa.” In spite of the Governor’s opinion, the General Assembly appointed a commission of three men to select a permanent location for the school and to supervise the erection of the buildings. The commission was limited by the requirement that the community desiring the institution must make a donation of forty acres of land and subscribe $5,000.00 toward the construction of the building. The state would then appropriate an additional $15,000.00, but the total cost of the buildings and furnishings was not to exceed $20,000.00!

Through the efforts of Captain Thomas Drummond, editor of the Vinton Eagle, the community of Vinton met the necessary requirements of land and money. The commission met at Vinton in May 1858 and selected the site—a gift of J. W. O. Webb. One of their members, Mr. Traer, was then appointed to investigate similar institutions to see how they were equipped and operated. Upon return from his tour of investigation of the Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin schools, the commission decided to ignore the $20,000.00 limitation as set down by the legislature and, in 1859, began to construct a building from plans that called for a $50,000.00 investment! Therefore, with only the foundation and lower walls completed, the commission came before the General Assembly in 1860 and asked for an additional, unheard of sum of $40,000.00!

The commission, instead of receiving an expected approval, met with strong opposition and a reprimand for exceeding the 1858 limitations. Governor James Grimes relieved the three men of their duties and appointed a single commissioner to replace them. Told that all work must be approved by the Governor, the new commissioner proceeded to complete the building with the stipulation that the total final costs would not exceed $20,000.00.

Samuel Bacon was strongly opposed to the Vinton location, contending that Iowa City was more centrally located and, therefore, advantageous for obtaining material, selling manufactured articles, and for cultural exposure from the university. He protested the state’s policy of “trafficking” its misfortunate dependents for the “paltry sum of five thousand dollars,” the amount required of the community desiring the institution. Bacon felt the move to Vinton would be “subjecting the blind of the state to great inconveniences, and the institution itself to eternal disadvantages.” He charged that the state would be better off to abandon the partially-constructed building in Vinton and use the additional appropriation to obtain a suitable structure within Iowa City. The 1860 Biennial Report also expressed Samuel Bacon’s feelings of being unjustifiably ignored, since the commission did not consult with him regarding his knowledge of similar institutions before making their plans for the new facility. Friends, however, had apparently encouraged Bacon to submit his building plan to the commission, which he later understood had been adopted with some alterations.

Samuel Bacon’s basic concern was for the well-being of the blind of Iowa. That concern was reflected in his 1860 arguments against the Vinton location and his request that a qualified oculist be hired. He felt it would benefit the students by having an oculist visit the school once or twice a year to treat eye diseases and to possibly prevent the unnecessary loss of vision in some individuals. Weary of defending his argument and feeling the state inconsiderate of his expertise, Bacon tendered his resignation at the close of the 1862 spring session, rather than move with the school to Vinton.

Iowa Braille School Alumni Association

P.O. Box 87

Vinton, Iowa 52349

President - Robert Spangler - rspangler@ibsssalumni.org

Vice-President - Betty Jean Miller

Secretary - Dee Clayton - dclayton@ibsssalumni.org

Corresponding Secretary - Janet Quam - secretary2@ibsssalumni.org

Treasurer - Stephen Barber - treasurer@ibsssalumni.org

webmaster@ibsssalumni.org

Updated August 16, 2008 13:55