1851 February 13th-Act passed by the legislature creating the University.

February 19th-Two townships, about 46,000 acres of land, were granted by Congress for the endowment of a university.

March 4th-First board of regents elected. May 31st-Board of regents held first meeting at St. Charles Hotel in St. Anthony.

June 14th-Gift of site for building by Franklin Steele accepted and work on building begun.

November 26th-First school opened, Reverend Elijah W. Merrill, principal.

1854

March 3rd-Purchase of new site authorized. October 21st-25% acres were purchased of Paul R. George and Joshua Taylor.

1856

February 25th-Legislature authorized regents to borrow $15,000 secured on site already purchased and to erect a new building.

June 28th-Old site passed out of the hands of the Board of Regents, the St. Anthony Water Power company securing the same by assuming $2,500 indebtedness of the University to Paul R. George.

July 21st-Title to land purchased from Messrs. George and Taylor confirmed by quit claim deed.

August 26th-Contract for the old main building let to Alden & Field for $49,600.00.

1857

February 26th-Two townships granted by the United States government for endowment of a state university.

1858

Spring of 1858 Professor Barber employed to take charge of a preparatory department of the University.

March 8th-Legislature authorized regents to issue $40,000 in bonds secured by 21,000 acres of land in Pine, Mille Lacs and Sherburne counties.

November 1st-Reverend E. D. Niell appointed chancellor of the University.

1859-60

Winter of-Professor Butterfield maintained private school in the old University building. 1860

February 14th-University reorganized with new charter.

April 5th-First meeting of new Board of Regents.

March 12th-State donated swamp lands of McLeod county to organize an agricultural college in that county.

1862

March 8th-Authority granted the Regents to make compromise with University creditors. July 2nd-Second congressional land grant to the State of 120,000 acres.

November 29th-The St. Anthony Water Power company gave a receipt for a quit claim of the old (academy) building and lot and their obligation for $2,500, assumed on account of the old academy building, which, with interest, amounted to $4,387.50, in exchange for certain. notes of their own for $3,060.37 bearing interest at the rate of one per cent per month, and amounting in all to $4,387.50.

1863

November (before the 14th)-John S. Pillsbury appointed to the Board of Regents.

1864

March 4th-Special board of three regents authorized and elected-John S. Pillsbury, O. C. Merriman and John Nicols.

October Old academy building burned.