Racine College, defunct Episcopal school in Racine, Wisconsin, U.S
Racine College was a school for boys and young men that operated from 1852 to 1933 and was run by the Episcopal Church. The campus featured several historic buildings made of red brick in Gothic style, situated on a hilltop overlooking Lake Michigan.
The school was founded in 1851 by Bishop Jackson Kemper and local citizens to provide boys with a combination of classical education and religious training. After James DeKoven took over as leader in 1859, the institution increasingly focused on preparing clergy, but later lost financial stability and closed its college program in 1889.
The name comes from its location in Racine, a town on Lake Michigan's shore. The campus served as a center for daily worship and religious life, where students and faculty gathered regularly for services that shaped the rhythm of daily life at the school.
The grounds are today part of the DeKoven Center and open for visitors to explore the historic buildings. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the property is expansive with several pathways connecting the various structures.
The school played a role in early American college football history, fielding a team that played against the University of Michigan in 1878 in what is considered one of the first football games in the region. Additionally, visitors and staff have reported unusual phenomena over the decades, including self-closing faucets and shadowy figures in the older sections of the buildings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
