Dellora and Lester Norris donated the 55 acre wooded tract to the Adrian Dominican Sisters in the early 1960s. Construction of the college began in 1961, and by 1963, St. Dominic, a women's college, welcomed its first students. For the short period of time that it existed, St. Dominic served as a community cultural, educational, and religious center.

Unfortunately, by 1969 the college was suffering from financial problems. The problems became so severe that it was decided that the college would close. Those who graduated in May 1970 were the last to do so from this much admired institution.

Soon after the college closed its doors for the last time interest in the property grew. In August 1970, Arthur Andersen, an international accounting partnership established in 1939, bought the property. The large company used the property as a training center.