That fall, E.J. Coburn of nearby Sugar Grove, Pa., opened the earliest iteration of the college. At the time, its stated mission was “to provide, at a small expense, courses of study to prepare young people for practical pursuits in the shortest time possible.”

For 138 years, Jamestown Business College has led countless students into business-related careers, staying close to its founding purpose.

However, citing its size and “the expanding government regulations,” the college on Thursday announced it was no longer enrolling new students and would cease operations after its current crop of students completed their coursework.

“JBC has been part of our community and serving its students since 1886,” the college said in a statement posted to its website. “Over the years, countless students have earned their degrees and moved on to successful futures. You would be hard-pressed to enter a business in Jamestown, NY, and not come across one of our grads because the majority of JBC grads stay and work locally.”

Pictured is the former Gokey Building in Jamestown that once housed Jamestown Business College. The building was destroyed in a March 1910 fire. P-J file photo

Pamela Reese, Jamestown Business College vice president, told The Post-Journal the last group of students will graduate in February 2025 and noted that the college “will officially be closed sometime after.”

EARLY ROOTS

According to Post-Journal records, JBC in its infancy was located on the third floor of the first business block on the north side of East Third Street. The first class included studies in shorthand and typewriting.

In 1889, the college was incorporated by a group of “philanthropic citizens” with an objective of “conducting a school or business college in the City of Jamestown where bookkeeping, stenography, typewriting and such other branches shall be taught as will enable a person to acquire a practical business education at small expense.”

Incorporating members included Fred Hall, William Hallock, Edward Hall, William Proudfit, Elliot Hall, Robert Marvin, Edgar Putnam, William Warriner, John Aldrich and Eleazer Green.

At its incorporation, the college had an enrollment of 125 students.

By 1892, operations were moved to the Gokey Building at Third and Cherry streets. A story celebrating JBC’s 100th anniversary noted the college catalogs from the time: “At night, sixty-five, sixteen-candle power incandescent electric lights illuminate the scene of mental activity.”

During World War I, the college and its equipment were put to use, as were locals and even students.

An October 1935 magazine article notes: “Forty of the most advanced typists and secretarial students were detailed for duty. An equal number of typewriters were turned over to this service.”

Afterward, the college was given the “Certificate of Patriotic Service.”

The Gokey Building — and all of the college’s equipment — was destroyed in March 1910 in one of the city’s most devastating fires. Two blocks of the downtown were lost to the fire that burned for days.

JBC soon moved to a new building, this one touted as being fireproof, on Cherry Street.

In the mid-1950s, the college moved to its current location on Fairmount Avenue.

‘IT WILL BE MISSED’

News of JBC’s pending closure was met with surprise Thursday.

Comments to The Post-Journal’s story posted to Facebook included: “So sad to hear!!”; “This is a great school and it teaches a lot of good, marketable skills. It will be missed”; “That will be a loss for our area”; and “This is far more dire than just being sad. It’s devastating to the community. The town is deeply diminished every time another institution like this is lost. I would consider this an SOS call for Jamestown.”

Last spring, the privately-funded Medaille University in Buffalo announced it was closing after a merger plan with Trocaire College fell through. Open for 148 years, Medaille closed its doors in August 2023.

Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent, said the district was “saddened to hear of Jamestown Business College’s impending closure.” He said for more than 100 years, the school district and college have been partners.

“Generations of Jamestown High School graduates have continued their education at JBC, while others have benefited from its presence in our schools through financial aid information sessions and field trips to its campus,” Whitaker said. “We are grateful to have utilized the college’s expertise locally and are committed to continuing these experiences for JHS students in the years to come.”

In a statement posted to its website, the college said it will continue to provide the coursework and graduation requirements for all students currently enrolled.

“For the foreseeable future, it will be business as usual for JBC,” the college said. “We look forward to a continued celebration of the college’s wonderful history as we work through this final chapter with our current students, our alumni, and our local community.”