Colleges
The Salisbury Public School system has a rich and vibrant history of quality education. What many do not know, is that in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Salisbury was a booming college town.
The Salisbury Academy opened it doors in 1888 as the first college in Salisbury. It was built in the center of the William Heryford addition where the present high school is now. The curriculum prepared young men and women for college and university studies and focused on literature, math, history, sciences, English, modern languages, Latin, green as well as business courses. Lodging was taken with local families until the boarding houses were built. Commencement exercises were held at the Opera House and lasted several days. Graduates received their diplomas on the first day and recitals and contests were held the second day.
Salisbury’s second college, the North Missouri Institute, opened in the fall of 1891 and was advertised as the only school in Chariton and Randolph counties that had a boarding department just for young ladies. Instruction was offered in music, art, literary, business and preparatory classes. Military drill and calisthenics were added later. Cadets could purchase their uniforms for $9.75 each. In 1897, the Salisbury Academy and the North Missouri Institute consolidated to form the North Missouri Academy.
The third college in Salisbury opened in 1906 and was called the Normal and Business College. It was located “on the high divide between the two forks of the Chariton River, at the junction of the Salisbury and Glasgow branch (railroad).” The building sat on seven acres with more than 100 elm and maple trees. Students and faculty joined for daily devotional exercises and boarding students were required to attend a local church at least once a month. Preparatory courses prepared students for college and university studies, the business department taught courses in bookkeeping, banking and arithmetic, while the Conservatory of Music concentrated on the classical composers, theory, musical history and harmony. Athletics were offered with the men playing football and baseball and the women participating in tennis and basketball.
Clue
From 10th and Maple, travel east to where the fair houses the beasts and once high society reined supreme.