Macon County
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Macon County, Missouri is located in Northeastern
Missouri.
Listed are many interesting facts on sites that are located in Macon
County:
MACON COUNTY COURTHOUSE: The first court was held in 1863. The county seat was moved to Macon from Bloomington Mo. The cost of the building was $30,000. The current courthouse is the third one to have been built in Macon County. It was built in 1864.
COUNTY EXTENSION CENTER: The Extension Center is located at 514 E. Briggs Drive, Suite D in Macon. During the 1960's the Extension Center was located in the old Post Office at the corner of Rollins and Butler street. The Extension Center is home to 3 specialists and one secretary. The staff includes a Human Development Specialist, a Business Development Specialist, and a Youth Specialist.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH: The First Baptist Church was organized May 7, 1865 by Rev. Joseph Oliver Sparrow at the home of Rev. John Terrell. During the early years, they met for worship in a hall over the Jaeger Hardware Store at the corner of Vine and Rollins Streets. In 1868 a frame building was erected on the present site on Rutherford Street. On February 27, 1899 the entire building, except for the brass bell, was destroyed by fire. Within a year, a new building was erected and a pipe organ, the first one in Macon, was installed and dedicated on January 7, 1900. In 1948, the Worlitzer Organ was dedicated. The current pastor is Scott Carlson.
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH: The first service was held in Macon on July 30, 1865 by Rev. Dr. J.T. Worthington in the Methodist Church. On September 4, 1865, Articles of Association were signed and the first Vestry elected: Dr. R. Neason, R.S. Gage, J.W. Henry, and A. Milsted. It was consecrated April 23, 1871, St. James Church, by Bishop C.F. Roberts. The St. James Academy was transferred to Col. F.W. Blees, resident director in 1890. In 1901 it was voted to build a stone church. The entire church was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve in 1901 but most of the furnishings were saved. On May 1, 1912, it was restored for services. This church still stands.
ELKS LODGE: The Elks Lodge was built in 1922, at the cost of $30,000 for the building and lot. The lodge sponsors baseball, basketball, football and other activities. It is a site for the Blood Mobile and a mobile dentist office for handicapped and under privileged children. Many receptions, dances and reunions are held in the lodge. You know you are at the lodge when you see the statue of the large Elk in the front of the building.
ST. AGNES HALL: Founded in 1884 it served as a girl's school by Louisia Walker Atkinson Smith. She was a widow with six children. With the help of the Episcopal Church she purchased this home and turned it into the school. Ms. Smith's two oldest daughters, Ada and Evelyn, were the teachers. Evelyn married in 1887 and bought the home from her mother which she and her husband made their home. It is located at 706 Jackson Street. Today it is a Bed and Breakfast owned by Scott and Carol Phillips. Travelers from all around have been impressed when they room at St. Agnes Hall.
STAGE COACH HOUSE: This house was built in 1856 by a Mr. Burk. It was used as an inn and post office. Stage coaches stopped here which is how it received it's name. It was sold to the Tibbs family in 1878. Several generations of the family lived in the home until recent years. It is thought that this home is one of the oldest still standing in Macon.
ROYAL THEATER: The Royal Theater was built in 1884. It is located on Rubey Street in downtown Macon. Originally there were stalls on the lower level for a farmers market. The theater has had many names including Grand Blees, and Jabson Opera House. The theater cost over $100,000 and it took three years to build. It has had eleven owners, the current owner is Todd Davison.
SAMARITAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: Theodore Gray gave the hospital to Macon County in 1943. He also donated $125,000 to pay for equipment for the hospital. Some of the money he donated was used to pay bills for the patients who could not afford to pay. Mr. Gray believed in "helping and doing for the community, the city, the county, the state and the nation in which you live". The hospital is located on Missouri Street.
MACON STEAM BOTTLING COMPANY: Opened in 1885. In 1905 it became known as The Macon Coca-Cola Bottling Company. This company is still open and services many businesses in Macon County.
VANCLEVE HOME: Mr. William M.Vancleve built the Vancleve home between 1871-1880. It is located at 406 North Rollins Street, Macon It was designed from the civil war ere. Mr. Vancleve was State Senator for two terms. Today the home is owned by the Historical Society.
OAKHILL MANSION: This is the largest and one of the oldest homes in Macon. It was build in 1928. The home includes a private pool, six car garage and a golf course. The home has three stories, five master bedrooms, fifteen large rooms, twelve and a half bathrooms, 360 acres of land and a staircase that goes across the entire front room.
WARDELL MANSION: The Wardell home was build in the 1800's by Thomas Wardell. It was used as a girls school. Mr. Wardell owned coal mines. It was Mr. Wardell's home until he was accidentally shot at a miner's meeting. It was then a Bed and Breakfast for a while. The home located at the corner of Union and Wendy Street is now home to Attorney David Masters and his family.
LAKEVIEW TOWERS: Formally know as The Blees Military Academy. It was founded in September of 1899 by Colonel Fredrick Wm.V. Blees. It was one of the finest Military Schools in the United States. Colonel Blees died in 1906. In 1914 the building was purchased by the Still-Hildreth Corporation. This became the Sanatorium which treated mental and related illnesses which operated until 1968. The building and the grounds were sold to the city of Macon. It is now a low income housing apartment unit for young and old. The name has been changed to Lakeview Towers.
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University of Missouri Extension Macon County maconco@missouri.edu Updated 05/21/04 |
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