Grand River College was a co-educational institution, and is said to be the first college in Missouri to admit women on equal terms with men. It opened to the public in 1850 at Edinburg, Mo., and maintained there for 40 years. But because Edinburgh was an inland town, the trustees decided to remove to another location and enlarge its facilities. Gallatin was selected.

Grand River College originally was located at Edinburgh, in Grundy County, MO (west of Trenton). The growth of Gallatin, boosted by the services of two railroads, prompted college officials to relocate the educational institution to Gallatin. (date of sketch unknown)

Gallatin citizens agreed to furnish the college site and erect a building to cost not less than $15,000 within two years. The community also agreed to further support the institution with funds. Five acres, known as the James Bolin tract, adjoining the city on the south, was the site selected for the college.

The business class at Grand River College as shown in the college catalog dated 1898.

Typewriting class at Grand River College as shown in the college catalog dated 1898.

The chemical laboratory at Grand River College as shown in the college catalog dated 1898.

Built in 1893, the college became an alma mater for hundreds of students. The college had seven departments and degrees were granted in Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts. It was first operated by Pope yeaman, then directed by the Hatton Brothers.

Around 1900 an addition was added to the east end of the original building which housed the college president and his family, and also the women students. At a later date, a men’s dormitory was built across the street west of the main building.

Female students are shown in a dormitory bedroom at Grand River College, as shown in the college catalog dated 1898.

The men’s dormitory at Grand River College, as shown in the college catalog dated 1898.

Grand River College became Grand River Academy and served as a preparatory school for William Jewell College when William Jewell College agreed to pay off the mortgage and provide an endowment for the institution. The school was directed at that time by Dr. Dow. In 1909 a $6,000 dormitory was erected but the Academy closed the following year in 1910.

The school reopened in 1914 as a school for girls. A full 4-year course was offered. During the fall of 1918 an attempt was made to make Grand River College an accredited military school for the Student Army Training Corps. Before the government acted upon a petition, the college burned down in 1918. This terminated this institution of higher learning which served Gallatin and the surrounding area.

— taken from the History of Daviess County Schools (AAUW 1976); Daviess County Centennial Edition (1937); and from a historic inventory prepared by Eddie Binney for the Daviess County Historical Society in 1978

This postcard shows Grand River Academy, postmarked 1909. Grand River College became Grand River Academy and served as a preparatory school for William Jewell College when William Jewell College agreed to pay off the mortgage and provide an endowment for the institution. The school was directed at that time by Dr. Dow. In 1909 a $6,000 dormitory was erected but the Academy closed the following year in 1910.

Grand River College 1909

A photograph of Elocution pupils performing a scarf drill during Delsarte studies at Grand River College in Gallatin, MO.

A photograph taken while Grand River College offered educational opportunities in Gallatin, MO.

This unusual view of the back of Grand River College is dated 1918. Grand River College was a co-educational institution, and is said to be the first college in Missouri to admit women on equal terms with men. It opened to the public in 1850 at Edinburgh in Grundy County, MO, and was maintained there for 40 years. But because Edinburgh was an inland town, the trustees decided to remove to Gallatin and enlarge its facilities. Grand River College became Grand River Academy and served as a preparatory school for William Jewell College. In 1909 a $6,000 dormitory was erected but the Academy closed the following year in 1910. The school reopened in 1914 as a school for girls. During the fall of 1918 an attempt was made to make Grand River College an accredited military school for the Student Army Training Corps. Before the government acted upon a petition, the college burned down in 1918. It was located in south Gallatin.