Arcadia Academy

If you find yourself in the Ironton - Pilot Knob - Arcadia area, one place you won't want to miss is the Arcadia Academy.

When I was a kid, the place was called the Ursuline Academy, and it was still run by the nuns. When they moved out in the mid 1980's, it sat empty and fell into disrepair. Rumors circulated that investors were going to turn it into a resort, but nothing ever came of it.

The Academy is privately owned now, and I'm pleased to say that one of the most historic buildings in the region is being restored. It's a painstaking restoration to be sure, but least it is under way.

Following is the history of the academy as taken from the web page:

"The Arcadia Valley Academy has been towering over the Arcadia Valley for over 150 years. The original Academy was built in 1846 as a Methodist High School by Jerome C. Berryman. During the civil war it served as a Union hospital from 1861 through 1863. In 1877 the Ursuline nuns purchased the school and turned it into a girls school. The Academy operated as a school until 1970 which marked the last graduating class. The Academy served as a convent until the nuns were moved to St. Louis in 1985. Now under private ownership the Academy has become a living antique, currently on the historic register as a historic district. The architecture is some of the most beautiful in Missouri. The Chapel has some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in the world. The Gymnasium has a unique roof truss system designed in Germany. The entire complex has over two hundred rooms and forty-seven toilets. The Auditorium seats up to 250 people and was used for recitals, plays, and other productions.

"An historical article on the Academy was printed by the Prime Time circulation which was published by Iron County Newspapers and circulated with the Mountain Echo. It reads as followed:

"When the Rev. Jerome Berryman came to the Arcadia Valley his brother was already there. They decided to start a school of higher learning. It was almost pure wilderness. In 1847 when they started the school there was no Iron County or Arcadia Valley. It was called Arcadia High School. Rev. Berryman was known all over as a Methodist circuit riding preacher. Families moved here so their children could attend Berryman's school.

"By 1859 Berryman has moved on and Asbury Farnham was principal. There were 109 boys and 66 girls enrolled.

"At the beginning of the Civil War, the college was closed and the buildings were used as hospitals, as the Union forces occupied the area, in 1863 General Clinton Fisk insisted that the school be opened and the property reverted to Rev. Berryman. When he retired to Caledonia, Missouri, several tried to run the school, but were unsuccessful.

"The young men and women attending the school received a quality education. Most were local, but a glance at the roster of students shows home towns of Pocahontas, Arkansas and many others. Tuition was $10 - $16, board, washing, lodging and fuel, $80.

"In 1877 the college was sold to the Ursuline Order for $30,000. Father Hennessy of Iron Mountain pleaded with the church and they persuaded Mother Johanna to purchase the buildings and the grounds.

"There were two buildings in 1877 -- one, the original 16 room building of which three rooms were habitable; the other an unfinished four story brick erected in 1870, of which three rooms were usable.

"However the Sisters went right to work, and in 1878 graduated their first class of 17 boarders and some local girls. They put on an ambitious program for more than 259 guests.

"The school prospered. A 1902 photo shows 50 girls gathered around an artificial lake on the grounds. The beautiful St. Joseph's Chapel was built in 1907. A new four story wing was added in 1913, but the 1870 building burned in 1917, so immediately a three story wing was built. In 1922 another wing was added connecting to the Chaplains residence. The last building was the wonderful Gymnasium in 1930. During peak years more the 100 girls were bordered and educated there. They came from far and wide, including foreign countries.

"The Sisters were asked to take charge of parochial schools of surrounding towns including Graniteville. Pilot knob and Arcadia. Just getting there was no easy task. Even when the sister came there in 1877 there were few houses in Arcadia. The Sisters gradually increased their holdings, until by 1913 there was sufficient acreage for a Missouri Pacific Demonstration farm.

"Rules for the girls were very strict. They were asked to be silent except during recreation. The school was approved by the North Central Association, so the education offered was first rate. The music department was always available. The Auditorium was available for concerts, plays, etc. The school had a fine Library. The beautiful natural setting was enhanced by landscaping. The big spring has a lovely rock Springhouse.

"Many local girls attended the school until it closed in 1971. Finally the enrollment dropped, and it was no longer possible to operate the school. However the Sisters operated a day care center and many children had the privilege of learning from the Sisters. During the past several years one of the Sisters taught in the public school.

"Through the years, retreats and guests were made welcome on the campus during the summer months. 1977 was a centennial year, and although the school had closed in 1971, there was a huge celebration. Alumnae and friends came from far and wide. Many of the furnishings and keepsakes were sold and some property sold for the Senior Citizen Complex.

"The property as a school has been in the Arcadia Valley longer than any town, most the churches, and most the homes. The campus is a concrete example of our fascinating progressive past.

"Information gathered from the Berrymen Archives at the Historic Society, and the 100th Anniversary edition of the Mountain Echo, 1977, and other papers also in the Historical Society Archives."

Today the academy is home to an antique mall, a nice eatery, a bed& breakfast, and a stunning wedding chapel.

Drop by when the weather is nice enough to walk around and take in the history of the place. If antiques are your thing, there are several other places to hit before you leave town. One of them is in the old Commercial Hotel on Main Street.

Pottery hounds will want to stop by Chanticleer Pottery.

Fiddles and Forests

I bought this CD for my wife for Christmas, and to be honest, I didn't have high expectations. As near as I can tell, it was recorded and produced at the Missouri Department of Conservation Headquarters in Jefferson City. For ten bucks, I figured it was worth a shot as a stocking-stuffer.

When we popped it into the tray on Christmas day, I think it's fair to say that we were both stunned. The quality of the music is on par with the very best of commercial recordings.

Here is the description from MDC's web page:

"You might call it an "Ozark" River Dance. Our new folk-music CD is a spirited mix of traditional Celtic jigs, foot-stomping Ozark bluegrass, and narrative enhanced by nature sounds. The CD brings to life the Scots-Irish and their trek from the lowlands of Scotland to the shores of America, and on to Missouri Ozark country. With more than 20 songs, "Fiddles and Forests" is the brainchild of fiddle player and Department employee Mike Fraser. The concept began as a live program in which he used music to entertain audiences while educating them about Ozark forests and history. The two-disc set features the story and songs on one disc and the music alone on the other."

I live in central Missouri where the ethnic heritage is primarily German, but I grew up in the eastern Ozarks. For that reason, I recognize more than some might, the Scots-Irish-influence on the culture of the region.

If you enjoy Celtic music, or if you are interested in the heritage of the Ozarks, pick up a copy of this recording. It's really quite good.

Murals of Cape Girardeau

Strictly speaking, Cape Girardeau isn't in the Ozarks, but it's close enough that I'm going to count it anyway. Folks on the eastern side of the region get their television from there, and many a high-school graduate has gone on to attend SEMO.

I was in Cape recently for the first time in a while. Having had some minor involvement in the construction of the new bridge across the Mississippi River, I was aware at the time of the murals, but didn't really pay that much attention to them. I wish now that I had.

What do you do with an unattractive floodwall? If you are the city of Cape Girardeau, you turn it into a tourist attraction and dress up the downtown area. The Missouri Wall of Fame features murals of 45 famous Missourians. Further along, find the Mississippi River Tales mural. The 24 panels depict historic events in the history of the area.

While you are in the downtown area, have lunch or dinner at Broussards. Or, if Cajun cuisine isn't your thing, try instead, Dexter Barbeque. You can't go wrong.