The term normal school in today’s language holds little if any meaning. If brought up in conversation, it is highly unlikely that anyone could explain the nature of the normal school except for those few historians of education that may exist. 

At one time in the last century, at least, the normal school was widely known as an institution of higher learning that focused on educating future teachers. Based on the Merriam-Webster definition, a normal school is usually a two-year school for training chiefly elementary teachers.

At its core, it is designed to teach the fundamental standards of the profession, or the “norms” of the profession. 

Thus we have the popularly used title for the school. Today, most of the once normal schools have become universities or have become part of larger universities and concentrate on the instruction of teachers.

The first of these normal schools formed in the late 17^th century in France. The American equivalent appeared about 50 years later in Massachusetts.

By the mid-20^th century, most normal schools in the United States had transitioned to teacher colleges or universities.

Alabama actually can boast that it contains one of the earliest normal schools in the United States. As stated on an Alabama Historical Association historical marker: “The Florence State Teachers College is the oldest state-supported teachers college south of the Ohio River.” 

In 1830 it opened as LaGrange College, which was the first chartered college in the state. It became the Florence Wesleyan University in 1855, was closed during the Civil War, and then deeded to the State of Alabama in 1872.  Now, it is part of the University of North Alabama. 

Baldwin County can claim its normal school, one with a proud tradition.

In 1888, the county seat of Baldwin County moved from Blakeley to Daphne as a result of a legislative act. 

A new courthouse was constructed, and the business of the local government was handled there until the seat moved to Bay Minette in 1901.

The former structure that served as the county seat became vacant. That vacancy, however, did not last long, as the movement to establish a normal school at the site gained momentum and captured the attention of the Alabama governor and the state legislature. After an appropriation through the state legislative body of $2,500, the Daphne Normal School was established in July 1907.

Upon opening, the school offered courses in mathematics, English, Latin, expression and art among other subjects. The original catalogue for the school advertised it as being situated in an area that boasted “natural scenery, bay breezes, pure drinking water, sea bathing, perfect drainage, and a charming climate.” 

Terms at the school lasted for nine months, and the cost of attendance totaled $115.50: room and board, $90.00; incidentals, $9.00; laundry, $9.00; and textbooks, $7.50.

The Daphne Normal School trained a series of teachers over its 33-year existence under the direction of four school presidents, including Dr. J.S.B. Lovett (1907), Professor B.B. Baker (1908-1915), Professor H.H. Holmes (1915-1924), and Professor D.R. Murphy (1924-1940). 

During their tenures, the school added various courses, including those that focused on teacher training above the high school level. The school closed in the fall of 1940 with all the files from the school transferred to the Livingston Teacher College.