Carthage Collegiate Institute Site (no longer standing), westside of 1400 Block of South Main

After the Civil War, there was a need for higher education on the college level in southwest Missouri and for several years Carthage vied with Springfield for the honor of acquiring a college. Carthage eventually lost out to Springfield when Drury College (now Drury University) was established in 1873. Rev. Dr. W. S. Knight, a local Presbyterian minister, continued the campaign for a college in Carthage and within the Presbyterian hierarchy. With local financial support, the Carthage Collegiate Institute (CCI) was founded. The first classroom location was an annex built onto the First Presbyterian Church then located at the southeast corner of Grant and 7th Streets. The formal opening was September 17, 1886, and tuition ranged from $10.00 to $18.00 per term. Shortly after opening the college, the CCI Board of Trustees purchased land in the 1400 block of Main Street (this site) and a brick edifice was built for the cost of $20,000 and was opened for use in 1888. The massive brick and limestone stone building was designed by St. Louis architect J. B. Legg who also designed at least one residence in Carthage -- the Cowgill Home at 1155 Grand Avenue. The structure was constructed by local contractor George Wood.