A 150 Year Old Campus, in Missouri's Arcadia Valley Don and I learned about Arcadia Academy when searching for hotel stays in Missouri. The Arcadaia website showed 5 nice looking B&B guest rooms, but when we arrived we found a 16-acre campus with 8 buildings. What exactly was the history of this place? We approached this building and learned later that it once housed about 100 young women from Ursuline Academy. The dining room had become a restaurant and the dorms above, became hostel rooms. Inside Once inside, I was happily jolted by some very sweet smells. A display of enormous cinnamon rolls tempted me from a nearby wooden rack. There was another display case for inedible goodies. This cabinet was lit up, to highlight a collection of religious treasures. We examined numerous Virgin Mary statuettes, then peeked in at "Thee Abbey Kitchen" restaurant, where some diners were finishing up a late lunch. We waited a bit longer until a man in a white apron rushed out from the kitchen to assure us that he had alerted Katherine to our arrival. Little Nuns As we waited, we studied the cute little nuns on one of the shelves, we wondered who Katherine might be. Would she arrive in a black and white habit and introduce herself as Sister Katherine? Bakery and Creamery As we stood in the hall, the smells from the cheery little Bakery & Creamery made things pleasant. But peeking up the eerie stairway to the second floor made me question our decision. As it turns out, the upper floors held the hostel rooms. I didn't even know that had been an option. Priest's House from 1902 Katherine arrived with a big smile and no habit. She apologized for keeping us waiting and took us next door. She took us past some toy trucks and trikes, that I believe belonged to her children. She warned us that the first step was a big one and we hiked up to the hefty white door with a doorbell crank in the center. This had been the Priest's House. I'm not sure if that was during the 100 years of Ursuline Academy, or later in the 1970'a when the buildings served as a convent. Facing the Garden Katharine said she had upgraded us to a suite on the first floor, since they were only using 2 of the 5 rooms. The price of our upgraded suite would have been $60. more, so that was a sweet deal from our sweet host! Our new room was on the corner with windows looking over the porch to the gardens. Inside Katherine showed us around a bit and took us down the hall where Presidents, George and Abe peered down from frames. She pointed out the parlor where we could play a hymn on the pump organ. Actually she did not invite us to do that, but we could exit the door near the Jesus portrait and enjoy the porch. More Hall Goodies Opposite our room, was the kitchen entrance where we would later eat breakfast. I loved the little prayer desk next to the kitchen door. Maybe it was a writing desk, but how could I be in this place, without thinking of prayer? It looked like it was just missing a padded kneeler. The plastic light switch plates were pretty special. Some people seem to think old B&B's and hotels are eerie. But this little image was downright comforting. I felt sure there would be no hauntings. Only holy ghosts in this place! "The Provincial" Our 2-room suite was quite the mix of old and new. I loved the 10-foot ceilings and rich wood baseboards. The door was awfully grand, as were the 6 windows. I only wish we could have easily opened the curtains to let in the view of the grounds. From the Door From the doorway, you can see we had a mounted flat screen TV with a DVD player, which we didn't really need. It's obvious where the new split wall had made two rooms into one suite. The Bathroom I doubt the priests ever had the luxury of double granite sinks. They probably would have found the spa tub a bit disgraceful, since it looked like it was built for about 4 people. Shower and Toilet The gigantic shower with 2 shower heads also hinted at some unholy behavior. Katherine was eager to point out the large shower and she was kind enough to warn us about the teeny toilet closet, which was behind the door, where the robes were hanging. I'm not a huge person and I had been warned, but I still laughed out loud when I checked out the tiny space. "Holy cow! How could anyone actually close the door, when making use?" 60-Foot Balcony We weren't given any drinking rules, so we shook up martinis in a thermal mug and took our happy hour to the porch. Then we moved to the second floor porch! What a beautiful evening and setting! As the sun lowered, the frogs delighted us with their evening music! The View From our porch chairs, we had a rear view of the chapel. What a beautiful cone shaped roof with cross. We also could peer back into the courtyard where a statue of Jesus stood center, and a little red wagon waited under a tree. More Garden Views Directly forward from the porch was a lovely stone building. There was a porch swing hanging from a tree and a few statues and grottos and a pond. Wandering In the evening and morning I wandered the grounds, trying to figure it all out. I walked around the back of St. Joseph's Chapel, build in 1908. It was hard to imagine these grounds in 1846, when the original Methodist school opened, as Arcadia High School. A Pond I love a hotel with a creek or pond. I especially love a little water feature with a bridge! The pond and gardens came much later after the The Ursuline Catholic Sisters took over in 1877. Pondering Near the Pond The whole setting really was absolutely peaceful. I noticed a pair of ducks enjoying their pond. As I paused to enjoy, I wondered how many young boarding students stood out here, missing home and family. Or how many nuns wandered in prayer? And even more sobering to imagine... How many Civil War Union soldiers came out into the sunshine to heal... back when the campus turned into a hospital during the Civil War? The Gymnasium This gym, (built in 1930) intrigued me the most. It was built when the Catholic Girls School was at its peak. Were those seesaws and swings, from way back then? The front of the building had an Alfred Hitchcock feel... with a pair of cement swans resting on the steps. St. Joseph's The Chapel was built in 1907. We had hoped to get a tour with Katherine before leaving, but there wasn't time. I had to just imagine the beautiful interior. The Cemetery The main road leading to the Academy, took us right by a stone wall and cemetery. I didn't explore beyond the wall, but we heard that the grave markers had the names of Sisters from the academy. That seemed like too many graves. But then again, the school was open nearly 100 years. Heading Back At the end of the drive, there were stone entrance gates. I pictured the buggies that first arrived, bringing young girls to boarding school. What thoughts went through their heads as they traveled towards the chapel and campus buildings? Dining We ate dinner in "Thee Abbey Kitchen" that evening. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. Back in the Day An old photo reminded us that not too much had changed. There were no white tablecloths for our visit, but we did have a framed Last Supper print nearby. Our Food Our young server Cassie, (who had the energy of a hummingbird) recommended Janette's Chicken with a light and savory chicken chive sauce. Man, was that rich and delicious. We tried to eat without making too much noise, since the young girls long ago had strict talking rules. But we did laugh out loud when we saw the high chair in the corner. Don had one just like it, as a youngin'. The Kitchen In the morning we headed across the hall to the kitchen. The funny stove & oven held the Keurig coffee maker and the rounded fridge had some help yourself sodas and water. The old ice box, was maybe just leftover, from back in the day. We sipped on a little coffee, and took in the atmosphere. Breakfast with Others We shared the large table with the 2 other hotel guests. They were traveling from Arizona and as we chatted it became evident, we all shared an appreciation for unusual and curious hotels... some good story swapping! Blessed Breakfast The painting of the praying man made me feel extra grateful for our French toast, eggs, bacon and potatoes. He only had bread. I also felt a little guilty as Katherine rushed through the door, which connects to the dorm/restaurant, carrying our steaming plates. We had seen her bustling around at 8 the night before and here she was serving our breakfast! What's Notable? We stayed on the outskirts of a tiny town, on a sprawling campus of a hotel... that happened to feel pretty heavenly. That's no joke. You certainly don't have to be Catholic or ultra religious to feel welcome. As a guest, you just need to be open to a little nature and history! What an amazingly, peaceful place. Big thanks to the Katherine and her Oyler family for the huge task of renovating and running such a place!
16 Comments
Patty
10/21/2016 09:01:51 pm
I enjoyed reading your piece. I graduated from Ursuline in 1971, the last graduating class. It was a beautiful place, and now I want to visit. It has been about 10 years and time to go back.
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Beth
10/23/2016 09:50:15 am
Patty, thanks so much for sharing. I would love to hear about your stories from Ursuline. I found the place so enchanting and can only imagine what it was like when it was in use as a school. It must have been sad knowing you were the last class to graduate.
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Jeannette
3/21/2022 07:53:43 pm
Ursuline Academy was an unforgettable experience for me! I was a student boarder during the years 1954-56 when it was a private boarding school for girls, some of whom were there for disciplinary reasons. I graduated from 8th grade in1956. After graduation, I returned to my home in St. Louis to attend a private girls' high school. Having been partially cloistered for 2 1/2 years, leaving the strict culture of the school took some courage on my part.
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Beth
3/22/2022 09:12:55 am
Jeannette,
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Julie
6/1/2022 04:42:37 pm
I lived at Ursuline for 9 years. I graduated in 1951 or 52 I can't remember for sure. I'm soon to be 85. There were so many girls from all over the world so I also received a education in geography etc. I do remember Mayday.i was in 3rd grade and we had boys in the class from town, Ironton and Arcadia the building was behind the gym. The pond was called the pie because of the shape of the bridge to the seating area. We also had tennis courts,swings and see-saws ( teeter-totters). The student dining room looked just like I remember it. I also saw in some pictures the typing and shorthand room also the library and the wellness clinic. I sat in the 3rd pew for mass every day. On Sundays went to mass twice. Once for us and then to sing high mass( in Latin ). The parishioners also came. I help teach catechism to the shutins. I guess I could go on and on but I'm tired now. My husband and I went to visit school about 22 or so years ago. I was so home sick. It was my home for so many years. Thanks for listening to my going on on. Julie 😊🙏
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Beth
6/2/2022 07:22:02 pm
Hi Julie!
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Jeannette
6/8/2022 08:42:28 pm
Hi Julie, Patty and Beth!
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Beth
6/9/2022 11:59:55 am
Jeanette, I thank you so much for sharing. Your story just breaks my heart. It was so sweet to picture you and Ella bonding during those 2 weeks. It must have been a little scary for both of you to be dropped off for the first time. How wonderful that you had each other. I'm sure it was so hard for you to understand that your friend had been asked to leave. Or did you even know that? I can only imagine how painful it was for Ella and her family. Sadly, it wasn't unusual at that time, for such a decision to be made. But that doesn't mean it wasn't incredibly wrong and devastating.
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Virginia A Legrand
5/6/2023 05:39:48 am
I was at Ursuline Academy for only one year ..1964
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Brandi Totta
2/6/2025 02:46:49 pm
Would love to talk to you about your time there and classmates
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Beth
2/7/2025 11:08:53 am
Brandi, I would love to hear more from Virginia as well. I hope she sees your comment and responds.
Beth
5/6/2023 12:06:26 pm
Virginia, I'm so glad that you have fond memories of your year at Ursuline! It could have been a tough transition, starting your senior year in a new school. I'm so glad it turned out to be the best year ever.
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12/6/2023 01:44:24 pm
Hey Beth,
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Beth
12/7/2023 03:09:51 pm
What great news about Arcadia Academy! I would love to return for a visit and learn more about the Academy and its special history! I'm so glad you're working to help preserve the history by registering as a museum. I'll check in with your website and see how things are going! Hopefully I can get out that way before too long!
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kathryn k rees
3/19/2024 07:10:40 am
My Grandmother was sent to board there way back in the 1900s. I wish I had more information about her early years and wish I had asked more questions. She was born in 1895 and died in 1974. Are there books I can refer to learn more about the academy?
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Beth
3/19/2024 07:55:34 am
Kathryn, thanks so much for sharing the little you know about your grandmother's connection with Arcadia. I so wish I had more information, but just learned what I could during my stay in 2016. The few who have shared (in the comments above) make me crave more information about all the young women who boarded at the Academy over so many years. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find a book with shared stories? Or even a yearbook with photos! I haven't looked on Ebay, but who knows?
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![]() Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
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