Creal Springs College 1884-1916
The very first historical marker in Williamson County sanctioned by the Illinois State Historical Society will be dedicated on May 11th at 2 P.M. in Creal Springs at 206 Line Street (a.k.a. Sarahville Road).
The marker is dedicated to the Creal Springs College and Seminary. The college was built on a 5 acre tract purchased from Edward Creal by Gertrude Brown Murrah and her husband Henry Clay Murrah in March 1884. The school was built as a three-story frame building with a basement and attic and was chartered in August 1888 by the State of Illinois.
The school was headed by Principal Gertrude Brown Murrah, a graduate of the Mount Carroll Seminary in Mount Carroll, Illinois and was originally planned to be for female students only. Due to high demand from male students, it opened as co-educational. There were 59 students enrolled in the first 12 week term. The faculty had six members including the Murrahs. The program was divided into primary, preparatory, college-level and music departments.
In January 1894, the school became a Baptist institution and the chartered name was changed to Creal Springs College and Conservatory of Music where both bachelors and master’s degrees were provided. The faculty at this point numbered 15, with approximately 100 students enrolled. The college became an important part of community life with its many activities and social functions.
Gertrude Murrah served as teacher and principal of the school for 32 years until the school closed on December 24, 1916. Mrs. Murrah continually struggled to reopen the school until her death in 1929. The building was eventually demolished in 1943.
The marker was installed and will be dedicated by the Williamson County Historical Society in cooperation with descendants of Gertrude Murrah, founder of the college. Speakers will be Creal Springs Mayor, Micah Morrow; Sam Lattuca, President of the Williamson County Historical Society; Mark Motsinger, representative of the Illinois State Historical Society and James Hulett, great grandson of Gertrude Murrah.
The Williamson County Historical Society Museum and Library will close at noon on that day to attend the event and the public is invited to attend.