Atwood Family

Clarence Atwood

Architect's rendering of Atwood Memorial Center, 1964

Atwood Memorial Center, 1965

Overhead view of Atwood, with Stewart Hall and Brown Hall in the background, 1976

Students walking on the campus mall near Atwood, 1995

Biography

The Atwood family has a long history in St. Cloud and were among the earliest settlers in the area. Edwin H. Atwood was born in Lockport, NY in 1829. He attended school at the Academic Institution in Wilson, NY, and taught school for one term in Lockport. In 1853, he moved to Illinois, where he farmed and taught school. He married Augusta Allen in 1856. They moved to Maine Prairie, MN, in 1860, where he farmed until he moved to St. Cloud in 1887. Edwin was active in the Grange and Lyceum, and served as president of the State Farmer's Alliance in 1887. He served the city of St. Cloud at various times as clerk, superintendent of schools, assessor, and supervisor. Edwin and Augusta had one son, Clarence L. Atwood.

Clarence was born August 11, 1859, in Illinois. He grew up and attended school in Maine Prairie, MN. After he graduated from St. Cloud State, he taught school in Ramsey and Ottertail Counties. He then worked as the superintendent of schools in Melrose, MN, for three years. Clarence then read law for a year before working with his father in the real estate and loan business. In 1902, he organized the Security State Bank, where he was president until his death. He was married to Mary Crandell and had four children, including Allen and Marjorie. Clarence also served on the St. Cloud City Council, the district school board, and as  the St. Cloud State resident director from 1911 to 1923. He died June 27, 1925 in St. Cloud.

Allen and his wife, Ferne, and children, who had lived for decades in the university's neighborhood, set up scholarship funds and to secure the funds to build a new student union. Allen and Ferne's family home stood on the spot where Atwood Memorial Center is located today. In 1962, Atwood Memorial Center was named to honor the Atwood family.

Atwood Memorial Center (1966)

Considered the center of campus, Atwood Memorial Center first opened its doors in the fall of 1966. Built in a number of phases (1966, 1972, 1993, 2003), Atwood was the first building constructed on campus to serve as the campus student union.

Discussion about a student union started, at least, by 1955. As the physical campus began to expand due to the enrollment of Baby Boomers, consideration for a student union became serious. By August 1961, the state college board approved a $5 fee per student per quarter to fund a student union. In 1962, St. Cloud State announced a campaign to raise $1.5 million with three different funding streams for a student union – state funds, alumni, and students themselves.

Designed by architects Traynor and Hermanson, the building was intended to be built in two phases. The first phase opened in the fall of 1966 while the second phase opened in 1972.

Student enrollment continued to increase and so did the demands on the building. A $5.9 million addition and renovation was completed in 1993 while another $5 million expansion opened 2003.

For more information, see the individual profile for Atwood Memorial Center on the University Archives’ website.