Megquire Seminary - Boonville, MO - Former Schools on Waymarking.com

County of structure: Cooper County
Location of building: 6th St. & Locust St., SE corner, Boonville
Built: 1892
Architect: Unknown
Architectural Style: Second Empire
Original Occupant: Megquire Seminary
Current Occupant: Apartments
District Map

"38. Maplewood Apartments, 702 6th Street, 1892. The mansard roof of this two and one-half story brick structure gives it a Second Empire style. It has several additions and a new porch." ~ NRHP Nomination Form

"Built: 1892
Style/Design: 2nd Empire
The mansard roof is accented by a Polygona1 tower at the NW corner and pedimented dormers. A later 1920's 1 story hip roof porch extends the full length of the W facade and shie1ds the primary entrance which has a 6 Light arched transom and sidelights . The back section of the structure projects beyond the main block by 1 bay both N & S. A 1 story addition is on the NW and sits on an original brick porch foundation. On the SW is a new addition on a new foundation. This brick addition extends to the W 1 bay and has a N entrance, a W basement entrance with wrought iron columns and trim on its protective porch, and 1/1 windows with corbelled sills but no headers. Windows in the main block are 2/2 with segmentally arched brick headers. The rear (E) basement level is exposed and there are 2 entrances. Several windows on this E facade are coupled; all have segmentally arched headers.

"The structure was built in an area of Boonville for which there is a history of educational institutions--Missouri Female Seminary, Cooper Institute, Dunkies Business College. Prior to the present structure's erection the site contained a rectangular brick house with a frame rear porch which was in existence in 1885 and remained till 1892. It is possible that this dwelling was incorporated into the Megquire Seminary building. The Megquire Seminary building was built or reworked in 1892 and the first classes were offered in 1893, Julia Megquire principal. The Seminary was "recognized as unsurpassable in its class for its salutary influence and accomplished results" in the education of women. Self proclaimed as a "Home and Day School for Girls," it was the first private school in Missouri to create a department of social economics. Instruction encompassed the following subjects: deportment, morality, English, mathematics, languages, government, art, history, ancient history, geography, physical and natural sciences, psychology, and music. The Seminary was nonsectarian but a "healthful religious sentiment is fostered." During the 1898-99 school year there were 8 teachers, 65 pupils and the school property was valued at $1500 with $500 worth of scientific equipment and a "well selected and maintained library." In 1896 the building was enlarged to meet a growing student body. In 1902 the founder and principal, Julia Megquire died and from then on till its closing in 1905 the Seminary was headed by Mrs. Roller. On June 12, 1905, the building was reopened as the St. Joseph's Sanitarium under the direction of Dr. C.H. van Ravenswaay and the Benedictine Sisters. Dr. van Ravenswaay donated $100.00 in cash, assumed payments of rent, provided operating room supplies, and donated most of the furnishings from his original clinic on 3rd St. The Sisters furnished the other necessities, mostly on credit from Boonville merchants. The Sanitarium remained operating till it moved in 1918 to the St. Joseph's Hospital. In 1917 it was also listed as "Sisters Dwelling" although they may have resided within since its inception. In 1918 the building was converted into apartments and was known as the Maplewood Apartments. Previous owners were Dale and Phyliss Reeseman.
  Due to its use as one of the early educational buildings the structure has local significance historically. It is also part of a block of buildings which create a strong neighborhood quality and a turn of the century streetscape.

"The structure sits at the SE corner of 6th and Locust, facing W onto 6th. The yard slopes down to the rear where there is a gravel parking area. There are no outbuildings." ~ Boonville Historic Survey  PDF pages 773-777