Post by Doris McCraw
aka Angela Raines
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| Photo (C) Doris McCraw |
In 1874, while Colorado was still a territory, two institutions got their start in Colorado Springs, The first was Colorado College, still a viable institution. The second, even more amazing institution that is now known as The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind.
Both are celebrating 150 years in 2024. This post is focusing on CSDB.
Jonathan R. Kennedy, 1824-1883, was the maternal grandfather and great-grandfather of actors Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney Jr.. His daughter Emma was Lon's mother.
Originally called The Colorado Institute for the Education of Mutes, its name was changed to the current one in 1893.
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| From CSDB website |
Robert, who had three deaf children, had worked in a similar institution in Kansas before moving to Colorado in 1873. With Territorial Governor Samuel Elbert's aid and $5,000 from the Legislature, Kennedy began construction of the school on 10 or 13 acres of land donated by General William Jackson Palmer, Colorado Springs 'founder'.
He began with seven students, three of which were his own. By 1877, the school also included blind students.
The school was set up like a college campus where you had not only classrooms but dormitories where students would live during the school year. Along with learning reading, writing, and arithmetic, the students were taught trades such as carpentry, farming, broom making, sewing, and printing.
For those who would like to know more about this historic institution, I'm attaching links.
Colorado School for the Deaf & Blind - History - Make sure to watch the video.
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