The college was founded in 1848 by a group of abolitionists who had left Kentucky because of their opposition to slavery and was originally named the Walnut Grove Academy.
It was chartered in 1855.
When the school was founded, it was the first school in Illinois (and only the third in the United States) to educate women on an equal basis with men.

Abingdon College merged with Eureka in 1885.
The college was founded in 1848 by a group of abolitionists who had left Kentucky because of their opposition to slavery and was originally named the Walnut Grove Academy. It was chartered in 1855. When the school was founded, it was the first school in Illinois (and only the third in the United States) to educate women on an equal basis with men.
Abingdon College merged with Eureka in 1885.
Eureka College