A Fredonia Timeline

1826

The Fredonia Academy opens on October 4 with 15 students

1827

The academy enrolls 81 gentlemen and 55 ladies for the fall term.

1829

Fredonia is incorporated as a village.

1867

The academy closes and the Fredonia Normal School opens.

1868

The Fredonia Normal School officially enrolls students in primary, junior and academic departments.

1887

Music as a specialty area begins with the appointment of Miss Jessie Hillman to the Fredonia faculty

1900

A tragic fire on December 14 kills six students and a janitor, destroying most of the building.

1903

The new building, Old Main (now One Temple Square senior citizen housing), is completed.

1909

Fredonia is authorized to award teacher certificates in music and art.

1931

A four-year course in music is first offered.

1933

The state purchases property on Central Avenue to be used for future expansion.

1938

A four-year program in elementary education is offered.

1939

Construction begins at the new campus.

1941

Mason Hall is completed.

1942

First baccalaureate in elementary education awarded. Fredonia is now known as Fredonia State Teachers College.

1948

SUNY is created. Fredonia is now one of 11 colleges of education in the SUNY system.

1951

Gregory Hall, the first dormitory/student union building, is occupied.

1953

Fenton Hall is completed.

1958

Alumni Hall becomes the second dormitory building on campus.

1961

McGinnies dormitory and the first Mason Hall addition completed.

1962

I.M. Pei and Partners develops master plan for a new campus.

1963

Dods, Nixon, Chautauqua and Jewett halls are completed.

1968

Groundbreaking for Williams (Campus) Center.

1966-1976

The college experiences rapid growth in programs, academic departments, faculty and students.

1967-1971

Maytum Hall and Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center constructed.

1975

Thompson Hall opens.

1976-1986

The college initiates programs in cooperative engineering, recombinant gene technology and sound recording technology.

1983

Steele Hall is completed.

1991

Reed Library addition completed.

1998

Enrollment now exceeds 4,500 students.

2001

Lake Shore Savings Clock Tower and Carillon dedicated. Swimming and diving complex completed.

2004

Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall dedicated.

2006

University Commons completed and opened.

2007

New state-of-the-art sound recording studio and control room is dedicated. A new lighted soccer/lacrosse complex dedicated and opened as University Stadium.

2008

The Carnahan Jackson Center for Learning and Scholarship is dedicated. Ground breaking is held for the university’s Technology Incubator.

2009

The Fredonia Technology Incubator dedicated and opened on Central Avenue in Dunkirk, N.Y.

2010

Dedication of new Robert and Marilyn Maytum Music Rehearsal Halls.

2011

Groundbreaking is held for the university's new Science Center. Williams Center renovation begins.

2012

Williams Center and Maytum Hall renovations completed; construction continues on new Science Center.

2013

New Blue Devil Fitness Center opens in Dods Hall. Ground broken for new University Village Townhouse complex. Construction continues on new Science Center.