The campus that is known today as Campbell Center was originally established in 1852 by local settlers, and incorporated as Mount Carroll Seminary.  A local attorney named John Wilson headed the project, and when it came time to hire competent teachers, he contacted a friend, Isaac Nash in New York State, and suggested that his sister-in-law, Frances Ann Wood come and run the then incorporated but non-existent facility. 

Frances arrived in the spring of 1853, along with her friend, Cinderella Gregory.  Once the ground was purchased, construction of the first building was soon underway, and Frances set about planting trees for both use and beauty. 

With the help of an inexperienced boy, 2,000 evergreens, 600 deciduous trees, 1000 apple, 400 pear, 300 cherry, 25 crabapple, 1500 grapevines and fruit were planted.  Although it is speculated that none of the original trees exist on campus today, there are many trees still standing that were undoubtedly planted during Frances’ time, and her successors continued to plant a wide variety of species, maintaining and expanding the arboretum that exists today.

On January 9, 1991, Campbell Center was awarded a “Big Tree Certificate” by the Illinois Department of Conservation, Division of Forest Products for the American Chestnut (Castanea dentate), located just east of Dezendorf Hall (#12).   It is the oldest living American Chestnut in Illinois, and was at one time one of the only American chestnuts left in Illinois.  In 1991, the tree stood 69 feet tall, with a 9’ 9” circumference, and a crown spread of 47’.