same location where Hawkins Hall now stands on the current campus of SUNY Plattsburgh.
The impressive structure, known as "Normal Hall", was constructed by the Brown Brothers of Mohawk, New York, who were also responsible for the construction of the Clinton County Courthouse Complex in downtown Plattsburgh.
Plattsburgh State Normal and Training School officially opened with its first day of classes on the morning of September 3, 1890. The school's first principal was Fox Holden, former Superintendent of the Plattsburgh Union Graded Schools. Holden only served for two years, from 1890 until the first graduating class in 1892, when he resigned.
=== Fire of 1929 ===
On January 26, 1929, a fire that began in the boiler room destroyed the Plattsburgh Normal School. Aided by high winds and the building's well-oiled floors, the structure was engulfed in flames within a half-hour and demolished within an hour. Six children who were being given music lessons were safely lowered out the second story window by their teacher …
