A trip to central Missouri with my wife would not have been complete had we not visited our Alma Mater - The University of the State of Missouri. Here are a few photos of the institution we proudly call 'Mizzou.'
The Columns are the remnants of old Academic Hall. Academic Hall burned to the ground in 1892 and left behind six ionic columns proudly standing on the University campus. A state-wide campaign quickly began to not only save the Columns from demolition but to also keep the state legislature from moving the state university to Sedalia. In the end, Columbia kept the school and Sedalia was awarded the Missouri State Fair. I think Columbia got the better part of that deal.
Jesse Hall: the administrative center of Mizzou and one of the most recognizable landmarks on campus, second only to the Columns.
Pickard Hall, home of Mizzou's Museum of Art & Archaeology. The Francis Quadrangle and architecture of the buildings that line the sides of the Quad are based on the design of the University of Virginia campus, which was founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson. Mizzou's favorite president is Harry Truman (for obvious reasons), but we also have a not-quite-as-fanatical devotion to our nation's third president because Mizzou, established in 1839, was the first public university west of the Mississippi River within Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase Territory. We also have his original tombstone, located beneath the trees on the far right - Jefferson did not want "President of the United States" chiseled into his tombstone, but his family thought otherwise. Somehow, Mizzou was able to grab the tombstone without "President" and the family replaced it with one with "President". Rumor has it that the University of Virginia wants it. I doubt that will happen.
One last shot of Ol' Mizzou!
Nice! :)
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