Missouri Historic Towns | Missouri Historic Landmarks | Missouri Historic Sites
Visit these Historic Places and sites on your Missouri Vacation.  Footprints of the past will come alive on your
Missouri Vacation to our region.  Visit the Arcadia Valley Region & Black River Recreation Area. 

If you are researching your family history, please see
our genealogy pages for helpful resources.  Better yet, travel to our region and see for yourself!

Arcadia, Missouri ~ History and Landmarks, Iron County, MO
Ursuline Academy - Arcadia College Historic District ~ on the National Register of Historic Places - also formerly known as the Academy of Ursuline Sisters for Girls

When Iron County was organized there were two villages within its borders, Arcadia and Middlebrook.  Arcadia was laid out in 1849 and incorporated in 1879.  It owes its existence to what was the Arcadia High School.  The institution was founded by Rev. J. C. Berryman, and conducted under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. ** "The school was a grand success, and from it graduated many of the best citizens of Southeast Missouri."  A short time prior to the Civil War, he became the proprietor of the institution, but due to the war, was forced to abandon it.  From 1861-1863, the buildings were used as a military hospital.    Afterwards, Mr. Berryman reopened the school and continued it until 1867. 

In 1869  Rev. L. M. Lewis purchased the school, and by the "liberal donations of citizens erected a new brick building, but becoming embarrassed financially he transferred the property to a joint stock company, composed of those who had furnished the most of the means to build the new edifice.  From that time, by an amended charter, it became know as Arcadia College.  In 1875 Professor C. O. Jones took charge of the college, but failed to make it a success and a few years later it was transferred to the Ursuline Sisters for the amount of the indebtedness upon it."  The Academy flourished under the Ursuline Sisters and was greatly expanded  from 1888 through 1930.  The last students to attend the Academy graduated in 1970-71.

Tour this magnificent 17 acre campus with its mature trees, stone retaining walls and nine historic buildings, collectively on the National Register of Historic Places.  Stroll through the campus and view the grotto, cemetery and spring house. Of particular note is the St. Joseph Chapel with some of the most amazing stained glass windows in the world. Beautiful inside and out, it is now used for weddings, as well as religious services.

The Academy is a magnificent study of architecture.  The famous spring still gushes crystal clear water. Now privately owned, it is operated by such businesses as, Thee Abbey Kitchen, Academy Antiques, Hen House Antiques, Academy Bed & Breakfast and Nostalgic Place Bed & Breakfast.  The campus is located at 128 East College St. in Arcadia just off of Hwy 21.

Black, Missouri ~ History and Landmarks, Reynolds County MO
Historical Black River Communities ~ Black River Township, Munger, Corridon, Edgehill, Bee Fork, West Fork, Oates, Warrens Store & Alamode 

In 1813, Henry Fry (the first known settler in Reynolds County) was not a man of the soil, but rather a hunter, fur trapper and trader among the then transient Indians who passed through the area that would later become Black River Township in Reynolds County Missouri.  The many small streams near the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Black River were well suited for trapping due to the abundant beaver population. At the time, beaver pelts were in demand in Europe and Fry's success on the Black River may have influenced others to come to this beautiful place near where the East, Middle and West Forks of the Black River come together. 

Marvin Munger, a man of many talents, came from New York and settled at the headwaters of the East Fork of the Black River.  Gradually, the area received settlers in search of their dreams.

Before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, land grants were common throughout the Upper Louisiana Territory, a part of which later became Reynolds County.  Black River Township had only one such grant, but it was enormous in size and would obscure the progress of settlers coming to this region.  The Catholic Priest, James Maxwell, had petitioned the Spanish government for a land grant back in 1799, promising a great influx of Catholic settlers from Ireland.  Although the fulfillment of his promise never came to pass, Maxwell was awarded ownership of 96,000 acres of prime property in and around the Black River and held the land until his death in 1814.  Control then passed to his nephews. 

Land beyond Reverend Maxwell's holdings, however, saw the gradual footprint of many early settlers.  Early maps show two hamlets, Buford and Munger.

Black River Township was also known in the early years as Black River Campground and was the destination for new arrivals to the area. “New arrivals, (“squatters”) only camped long enough to (with the help of willing neighbors) cut, shape and raise logs into a cabin; they were all glad to have a new neighbor. At the time, anyone within thirty or forty miles was considered a neighbor. Soon, more and more settlers arrived. The historic communities of *Munger, Corridon, *Bee Fork, Edgehill, West Fork and *Alamode continued to grow. In 1890 there were 686 people on the census in Black River Township alone, and postal villages in Black, Edge Hill, *Bee Fork, *Munger, Oates, and *Warren’s Store on West Fork were thriving.  (*communities no longer exist on current maps)

Many of these early settlers were illiterate, but knew the benefit of an education for their children. Schools were built and the first church in Reynolds County, the Black River Baptist Church, was built in Black in 1833.  At the same time, the communities of Lesterville, Centerville and Ellington (formerly known as Barnesville and Logans Creek) began to thrive.

A driving tour of this area is dotted with landmarks of the past.  Whenever you see an old structure, be reminded of these brave pioneers who helped to shape the history of this new frontier in the United States.

Be certain to see the Buford-Carty Log Home and Farmstead near Black.  This two story home (see left above) was built in 1847 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Missouri Civil War   Click here to learn about the important roll the Arcadia Valley and Black River Region played in shaping the outcome of the war.  Take a Missouri Civil War tour of our region and learn about the Battle of Pilot Knob at Fort Davidson and Fort Barnesville.

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