HIGHER ED IN THE HILLS: MAYFIELD COLLEGE RICH IN HISTORY

At the turn of the century, Marble Hill had a flourishing Baptist college.

It was founded in 1878 in Smithville, now Sedgewickville, by two doctors, William Henderson Mayfield and H.J. Smith.

In later years, Mayfield helped found Missouri Baptist Sanitarium in St. Louis. It was the forerunner of Missouri Baptist Hospital.

He also helped develop Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. He was known as the "praying surgeon" because he reportedly never undertook surgery without first praying for guidance.

The Mayfield-Smith Academy was set up as a Baptist high school and two-year college under the supervision of the St. Francois Baptist Association.

The school was designed to provide moral and religious training through denominational education.

Twenty-two students were enrolled in the first school year, 1878-1879. The college began in a hall owned by Smith.

In the spring of 1878, construction of a permanent building for the college began. But a storm destroyed the kiln that was to be used to make the bricks.

A winter freeze damaged the foundation for the building.

In 1880, the school was moved to Marble Hill. Classes initially were held at a Baptist church and in the public school at Marble Hill.

The school was moved to Marble Hill because it was the "most healthful part of the country, in an industrious community, amidst a society of growing intelligence, morality and refinement, and where churches and Sunday schools are numerous and well attended."

That comment from a Baptist minister was included in "Bits of History," a book on Bollinger County history.

In 1882, a 10-acre site was purchased. A brick building was constructed on top of the hill.

In January 1885, sessions began in the new building. Eighty-three students were enrolled. By the next year, enrollment had reached 115.

In 1903, the St. Francois Association renamed the institution as the Will Mayfield College in memory of Mayfield's son, who had died from consumption a year earlier.

Over the years, the school expanded to include dormitories and a gymnasium. An arts and science building was constructed in 1924.

The school fielded football and basketball teams.

Girls were housed in one dormitory and boys in another.

Female students were housed in Rosemont Hall, completed in 1896. It was reported that it had a "splendid" basement, boy's waiting room, a dining hall and gas lights.

The college had its share of rules. Students at Rosemont Hall were expected to wear the college cap.

Students who didn't board at the school weren't allowed on campus after 6 p.m. without special permission of the college president.

"Young ladies wishing to invite friends to visit them must report their names to the president, who will arrange, when practicable, for their entertainment," one rule read.

Students admitted to the college had to be "orderly, attentive and respectful."

Use of tobacco, liquor and cigarettes was prohibited.

Some students lived off campus in rented rooms. Rent was $2.50 to $3 a week. Heat and light were included.

Enrollment reached a high of about 200 in 1924-1925.

Fire destroyed Rosemont Hall on Dec. 17, 1926. The college, however, continued to operate.

In 1929, the school had 14 faculty members. Fifty-nine college students and 29 high school students were enrolled.

By the late 1920s, the school was attracting students from a wide area.

But like many of the private Baptist schools in Missouri, Mayfield College continued to have financial problems.

It finally closed its doors for good after the last commencement exercise on May 24, 1934.