This is a guide to sources for research regarding the Southern Normal School. The Southern Normal was created when the founders of Glasgow Normal School moved to Bowling Green in 1884. The school changed hands and names several times between 1884 and 1906. In 1906 the Southern Normal split into two schools: Western Kentucky State Normal School and the Bowling Green Business University. For more information regarding the history of the Southern Normal see UA96 Southern Normal School.

The following resources are available for researchers in University Archives. Some, as indicated, are available online and some have been indexed. The indexes are being posted online. All microfilm is available in the Harrison-Baird Reading Room, D77N1.

UA96 - Southern Normal School Records - available for research in the Harrison-Baird Reading Room.

Cherry, Bess Personal Papers - available for research in the Harrison-Baird Reading Room

Cherry, Henry Hardin President's Papers - available for research in the Harrison-Baird Reading Room

"Concerning," The Elevator, Vol. VII, No.3, December 1915, pp. 68-73. Biographical sketch of J.Lewie Harman.

Cornette, James. "J.R. Alexander – 1863-1943," College Heights Herald, March 10, 1944, p. 2.

Harman. J.L. "Joseph S. Dickey," Teachers College Heights, March 1934, pp. 26-27.

"Southern Educational Building Co., Incorporated in 1899," Southern Educator, October 1900, p. 5.

Southern Normal School Scrapbook - 1900, indexed

Southern Normal School/Bowling Green Business College National School of Telegraphy, Civil Service, Railroading and Express - 1901-1904, indexed

The Southern Educator – 1898-1906 - microfilmed, indexed

The Southern Exponent of Business Education - 1906-June 1940, microfilmed, December 1940-1942 available in hard copy -indexed

The Elevator – 1909-1916 - a Western student publication, occasionally lists BGBU alumni. Publication and an index are located in reference.

UA94/4 Student/Alumni Personal Papers - Southern Normal School

Manuscript Collections - available for research in the Harrison-Baird Reading Room

SC 165 Thompson, Harry Edgar 1865- Commencement invitation and program 1888; Letters of recommendation 1888-93; KY & TX teacher's certificates 1885-91; clippings 1949, 1953, 1958; photos; autobiographical notes

SC 253 Letter written on Southern Normal School & Business College stationary, June 7, 1885.

SC 511 Gardner, Tandy Thomas, 1865-1963 Autograph album covering the period that Gardner was a student at Southern Normal School and Business College in Bowling Green, KY, 1888-1891.

SC 580 Hull, Cordell 1871-1955 Letter to John G. Woods February 9, 1948 re: Southern Normal School.

MSS 73 McElroy, Clarence Underwood, 1790-1927 Correspondence, legal and business papers, speeches, and travelogs of Bowling Green, KY attorney McElroy. I B5 F19; VII B17 F10