The Webster City College of Commerce was established in Webster City. The college was opened on July 9, 1894. C. S. Paine was the President and H. C. Arnold served as the Principal. It was located on the second floor of the Kamrar Block, at the southeast corner of Willson Avenue and Second Street. For many years, the Frank Clothing Store occupied the ground floor. An early advertisement offered a free subscription to a magazine, "The Educator," for one year to all students enrolling in the college.

Their ad promised Ample Equipment, Modern Methods, Complete Courses, and a Low Rate of Tuition. College courses offered were Shorthand, Typewriting, Penmanship, and English. Their ad stated that they expected 400 students. It is doubtful that enrollment was anywhere near that number. The Hamilton Freeman reported in 1895 that Jacob Funk was arranging for an extra room for the college use, so that the college was able to grow.

The college continued to function for five years. In the 1889 city directory the college listed Prof. J. F. Robinson as the Principal and his daughter, Emma A. Robinson as the shorthand instructor. They resided at 514 Division Street.

Students did come to the college from the neighboring towns. The January 20, 1900, edition of the Hamilton County Journal reported that Herbert Buell was taking commercial work, Cora Cooper was enrolled in the English department, August Zahn returned to school for the second year. Will Lynch of Alden became a new student in the commercial department. Irene Closz and Bertha Keller enrolled in bookkeeping. Mrs. Alice Green enrolled in shorthand and typewriting.

The February 17, 1900, Hamilton County Journal reported Mabel Garth enrolled in typewriting and Mabel Near in bookkeeping. Arthur Mikel left school to help his family move and prepare for the summer work. He planned to return in the fall.

The final entry for the college appeared in the 1900 Hamilton County Journal when Robinson was still listed as the Principal. The Robinson family left town before the 1902 directory was published. Thus ended the first business college in Webster City.

In the Freeman of May 6, 1913, an announcement stated that "the founders of the Fort Dodge Business College have decided to open a school in Webster City and in Waterloo." The Commercial Club was instrumental in bringing the school here due to a year long effort begun in 1912. This college was opened in the third floor of the building just west of Mason Hardware. The third floor was formerly the location of the Harry Keating Cigar Factory. The address was 505-515 Second Street.

W. B. Barger and J. W. Crowley were the owners. The subjects offered included Science of Accounts, Stenography, Typewriting, Business Arithmetic, Commercial Law, Geography, Penmanship, Letter Writing, Spelling, and "kindred subjects." The college was scheduled to open for the fall term on September 1, 1913.

The July 19, 1913, Freeman reported that "the new desks have arrived and are being installed by the American Seating Company of Chicago. The rooms have been gone over and remodeled to meet the demands of the college work. Over fifty students were enrolled by August."

The Webster City Commercial League sent out many letters to prospective students, as they were anxious for the new college to succeed. Persons interested were invited to write to J. W. Schroeder, Secretary of the League.

By September 16, 1913, over sixty students had enrolled which included: Isaiah Pierce, Myron Garth, Ray Berggren, Pearl Paine, Myron Paine, Hazel Russell, Carl Ainslie, George Alexander, Henry Mahoney, Robert Maxon, Ethel Mabbott, and William Yungclas. Robert Maxon, the older brother of Max Maxon, was hired to teach at the school for the next year.

The college ran into difficulty by 1915. W. B. Barger sold the business college to Mr. Plummer of Waterloo, who later sold it to A. F. Gates. The Freeman-Tribune reported that Gates refused to accept the prepaid tuition and that students might be "left holding the sack." Barger responded in a letter published by the newspaper stating that he sold the business on a "fair and square basis." And he stated that both Gates and Plummer knew of the arrangement. The college closed after September 7, 1915, as the students who had already paid tuition did not want to pay it again. Thus ended the second business college.

Shown with this article is an advertisement for the College of Commerce which appeared in the January 6, 1900 edition of the Hamilton County Journal.