| East Dubuque Local Area History Project | |
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Clarke
College
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| Clarke was founded by 5 sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mary Francis Clarke, Eliza Kelly, Margaret Mann, Catherine Byrne, and Mary Bertrand. They were all from Ireland. They first lived in Philadelphia when they came to the U.S. They worked in schools and hospitals and they lived there from 1833-1843. Then they came to Dubuque in 1848. | |
| It had several locations in the first few years. Clarke College first opened up as St. Mary's Female Academy, located on 3rd and Bluff Streets, Dubuque. In 1846 it was renamed St. Joseph's Female Academy and was located on St. Joseph's Prairie, in rural Dubuque. In 1859 it became known as Academy of the Sacred Heart and was located on 14th Street, Dubuque. In 1869 It became known as St. Joseph's Academy and was located on 13th and Main Street Dubuque. Now it is known as Clarke College and is located on Clarke Drive Dubuque. | |
| It was 3 years old when Iowa first became a state in 1846. In 1881 Mount St. Joseph moved to Seminary Hill Which later on became known as Clarke Dr. In 1928 the boarding school was closed and was opened just as a college and was renamed Clarke College in honor of Mary Francis Clarke. In 1979 men were able to go there to the college. | |
| They now have about 1300 students full time. They have about 500 adult students at night. There majors are in Fine Arts, Adult Education, and Physical Therapy. Clarke is one of the few Private Colleges in the U.S. that offer this degree. | |
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Bibilography Interview with Sr. Sara Mc Alpine B.V.M The Story of Iowa Vol. II Perterson, William (Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc. 1952) |
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