[2] The college was founded in 1889 just after the Highland Park Land Company opened up this section of Des Moines for residential development.

The extension of the Second Avenue street car line in the early 20th century helped develop and sustain the neighborhood.

In 1954 the college campus was sold to a developer who built Park Fair Shopping Center on the site.

The College Corner Commercial Historic Business District is composed of seven buildings and an empty lot.

At the time it was built it was the tallest building in Des Moines outside of the central business district.

The storefronts on these buildings have a recessed entrance in the center, a square-cut transom above the door and large display windows on the sides.