The institute was situated on a high bluff overlooking the valleys of the Minnesota and Chippewa Rivers, about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) from the confluence of the streams.

It was in the center of a thickly-settled and rich farming section about 250 miles (400 km) in diameter if the nearest colleges were the limits.

[1] The large campus of 40 acres (16 ha) afforded opportunities for outdoor sports, such as tennis, baseball, football, boating, fishing, and during the winter months, skating, coasting, and skiing.

[3] In 1884, President Strong of Carleton College suggested at a meeting of the State Association of Congregational Churches, the necessity of Academies or Fitting Schools in different sections of Minnesota.

There was hardly a boy or girl in all the Montevideo region who had any aspiration for a "higher education" or comprehension of what that term stood for.

A corporation of 26 members, with provision as to its relation to the churches and to Carleton College, was organized to carry out the plans for this enterprise, and steps were taken for the raising of funds.

Miss Julia V. Finney, from Carleton College, brought to the school exceptional teaching ability and a sympathy with its purposes which gave her patience under trying circumstances.

[2] In one of the school's most dire financial periods, Judge Edwin Smith Jones, of Minneapolis, came to Montevideo to investigate for himself.

The school was in poor financial circumstance at that time, and when a report was called for from the Academy, a simple statement of the serious situation was given.

Wyman Elliot was in the chair and at the close of the report, he started a movement for help by giving a farm outright.

Messrs. Morley and Evans took the platform, and in half an hour US$2,500 was subscribed to help the school, gifts coming from every part of the State.

[2] The dedication of Jones Hall in that same year brought to Montevideo the highest officials of the state and notable men in business and educational circles.

His sympathy with the institute's purposes and his prophetic measure of the future of western Minnesota led him to provide in his will an endowment of US$25,000 as a basis for the permanence of the undertaking.

Miss Hannah M. Griffith, of Carleton and Wellesley College training, filled the position of preceptress-teacher.

James J. Hill offered US$50,000 on the condition that the school raise an additional US$200,000, making a total endowment of US$250,000.

[2] Owing to insufficient water pressure it was impossible to use the standpipe and hose in the building which were always kept ready for emergencies.

[3] For the outlook of this College at the beginning of the school year 1920-21, we may quote its announcement by the Montevideo News, September 30, 1920:— "The fall term at Windom opened Tuesday with a promising enrollment of new students.

R. G. Walker, a graduate of the University of Nebraska, is a new member of the faculty, in charge of courses in bookkeeping, banking, and allied subjects.

John R. Rowe, Beloit College, will act as principal and also teach classes in mathematics and science.

Miss Alice Roosevelt, Grinnell College, is again at the head of the music department, and will also teach languages.