COA leases a 21-acre estate on Frenchman's Bay

A summer home named Guy’s Cliff, which had formerly been used as a seminary by a Catholic order of priests called the Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate, had recently been left empty. Founding Trustees, including Les Brewer and Rev. James Gower, settled an agreement with the owners of the property for a five year lease. The college now had a site to work out of! Eventually, this would become Kaelber Hall, the school’s main academic and social building. 

This acquisition proved to be an important step towards their recognition by the state. Officials from the Department of Education were invited to see the new building, and upon doing so officially granted the board the right to use the word ‘college.’ Though the founding members would later have to petition for the right to grant degrees, this was a huge step in the right direction. 

To learn more, see the photos of the Guy’s Cliff/Kaelber Hall property linked below in the 'Related Items.'