Rice Collegiate Institute 1878 – 1901

 

In 1878 Rev. C. Thompson Kellogg opened the nondenominational academy in the building formerly used by Augustana College. During the summer of 1880, the cornerstone of a grand three-story brick structure was laid for a new school and dormitory on E. Pells St. 

 

In 1884 it was written that “no person is allowed to remain in the institution who does not devote himself to school work. The moral atmosphere is exceptionally good. Pupils are received as ladies and gentlemen and when they show themselves not so, they are dismissed.”

 

Rice Collegiate Institute is a successor of the Paxton Collegiate and Normal Institute. By a gift of money in 1889 from Mrs. Mary A. Rice, in honor of her late husband, Edwin Rice. The name was changed to Rice Collegiate Institute and placed under new management. 

 

The institute offered five courses: Classical, Latin Scientific, Scientific, Teacher’s and Commerical. The object of the courses was to prepare students for college, or for those not pursuing college, a practical education which would prepare them for ordinary life.

 

Financing the Institute was always of major concern and by 1901 the institution went out of existence. The next year the brick structure was razed and the dormitory was sold off.

 

Paxton Community Hospital 1928 - 1987

 

In 1928, the old Rice College dormitory was purchased for Paxton’s first community hospital. In 1930, the need for additional space and services was met by an addition which provided much needed space and expanded the bed complement to 20. 

 

Through the years the hospital had many updates and additions to accommodate patients. From 1955 to 1957, the hospital was remodeled for the cost of $335,000 which increased its bed compacity to 40 beds and offering extra services. In 1981, the hospital expanded with a 1.7-million-dollar addition with removing the original part of the old dormitory and the first hospital addition from 1930 to make way for the new wing.  

 

The Paxton Community Hospital would serve the community until 1987 when it was closed. The building was used briefly for a Baptist Church, then sat empty until 2019 when it was demolished.

 

The 1880 corner stone from the Rice Collegiate Institute structure was saved by local county historian Derrick Babbs in 2019 and is on display at the Ford County Historical Society.