Since Florida, I have been on another adventure to Indiana and Michigan plus much more. So while I am writing up those travel snapshots, I want to pause and revisit some earlier trips.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Eureka Springs one of Twelve Distinctive Destinations in America. That fuels the passion to maintain and preserve the historic Victorian homes that are found throughout town. Sixty eight miles of 100+ year old handstacked limestone walls the town. The town is often referred to as the Little Switzerland of America and once you make the drive into town, you will understand why. I wish I had photos but it was a “both hands on the wheel” kind of drive. Once in town, the historic loop does have an alpine feel with springs and grottos throughout.
I am adding a link to my earlier post about the Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour. But today, I thought I would also tell some stories from the time that the hotel was known as Crescent College. The Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women opened on September 23, 1908, and operated from September through June, with the summer months being devoted to hotel operations. The college remained open until 1924, when it was forced to close due to lack of funding. It reopened as Crescent Junior College in 1930 and remained open until 1934.
I am fascinated by lost colleges. Check out this link to see if any of these are familiar.
My Dad had a connection to William Mayfield which was a college in his hometown of Marble Hill, Missouri. It began in 1878 as Mayfield-Smith Academy in Southville (which is now Sedgewickville) and was named for its founders Dr. William H. Mayfield, who also founded Mayfield Sanitarium in St. Louis, and Dr. H.J. Smith. In 1880 the school was moved to Marble Hill and in 1903, it was renamed Will Mayfield College in honor of Dr. Mayfield's son Will who had died in 1902. A 1926 fire destroyed the women’s dormitory and the Great Depression cut into Will Mayfield’s funds and enrollment. After a temporary closure in 1930, the college closed for good in May 1934. My Dad had vivid memories of that day and how sad it made his family.
We were fortune enough to tour what is left while my Dad was still alive. It meant a lot to him. The Arts and Science Building now is home to the Bollinger County Natural History Museum. Academic Hall now houses the Will Mayfield Heritage Foundation.
Below was the post about the Crescent Hotel and some ghost hunting (in case you missed it).