Exploring the Waldorf College Campus in Forest City, Iowa

Waldorf College was

founded in 1903 by
Norwegian Lutherans.

The location of Waldorf College is the result of what locals call "the great hotel war of Forest City."  In the late 1800s, the progressive commercial club agreed that the community of 1,500 needed that a newer, modern hotel  in Forest City.  Rival banks put forward plans to build a hotel on different sections of "Main Street."  Each bank backed a hotel, which was opulent and had up to the minute modern features.  The Summit Hotel opened in February, 1898. The Waldorf Hotel opened in 1899. Competing bankers and of businessmen supported each hotel. 

This area wasn't large enough to support two high end hotels.  Backers of The Summit Hotel bought out the interests in the Waldorf Hotel and closed it.  Reverend C.S. Salverson bought the vacant Waldorf Hotel for $18,000.00 and established Waldorf College.

This Liberal Arts college offers classes on campus and online for Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degree programs.  

Thorson Hall

"Transformation" represents

the evolution & growth

of students at Waldorf

College.

The Luise V. Hanson Library

Luise V. Hanson served on the Board of Trustees of Waldorf College for many years.

Odvin Hagen Music

Center

Odvin Hagen was the Choir Director at Waldorf College for many years.

"The Viking" celebrates the
Norwegian heritage of
Waldorf College.









One of the lines of the College's Alma Mater is "The school of Vikings bold."

The Campus Center

Jacob Tanner Hall

Voss & The Smith

Theater

Nillsen-Boe Hall

of Science

Tillie Rasmusson Hall

Waldorf College has grown
& become this lovely
campus.