Hartsville College records

In April, 1847, the voters of Haw Creek Township, Ind. met in Hartsville and concluded to build a new school. When completed, it was to be used for school purposes, for religious worship and for all lawful public meetings of the citizens. The United Brethren in Christ was making arrangements to establish a college in the state. In February, 1849, the citizens of Hartsville made the proposition to the UBC that they would complete and turn over to the church the new college building with the understanding that it was to be used for college purposes. On May 26, the transfer was made. The institution, founded with the express purpose of training young men and women with limited means, was chartered on January 12, 1850, under the name of Hartsville Academy.

As enrollment increased, a new building was built and opened in 1860. On January 30, 1898, the college burned to the ground, believed to be the result of arson. The college then relocated in a more central area in Huntington, where a college had opened in September, 1897.