I was inspired to write about some of our beautifully historic schools here, having just visited my old elementary school back in Rosedale, Maryland. Did you ever notice how small everything looks, from the hallways and cafeteria to the classroom desks…? I graduated from the 8th grade there in 1974, and had the occasion to have our oldest son attend pre-school in 1993-1994 and walk the very same hallowed halls that I travelled 25 years earlier! I can’t believe it’s been another 15 years since my last visit to St. Clements’s, and I am amazed how quickly my mind floods with memories as I cross the threshold of my alma mater…..

Prompted by my visit, I began some reading on The Bradley Academy in Murfreesboro, located at 415 South Academy Street, originally built in 1811. Today, the current building, built in 1917, sits in the very same location as another institution of the same name. In 1814, a young James K. Polk graduated from the first Bradley Academy, and you may be interested in knowing that the citizens of color in Murfreesboro began using the school in 1881. The school functioned until the 1960’s, and the old school was then added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Today, if you travel to this site, you will find that the school is the home of a museum and cultural arts center.

Another notable academic institution was the Soule College, first named the Female Academy in 1825 by founders Mary and Nancy Banks. The Methodists acquired the school in 1851, and by 1853, a new school was built across the street from the original location. This new school was named for the Methodist bishop Joshua Soule. Imagine the joy as the first graduating class celebrated commencement in 1854!

As the War between the States came in to play, this building, as were many, was used as a hospital and very badly damaged in the skirmishes and battles that raged around the town. Journal entries of John Spence tell us that 100 Confederate dead were buried in a mass grave in the garden behind the college just days after the Battle of Stones River. As war passed to more peaceful times, the college reopened in 1866 and became prosperous once again. For a time, the school received much scholastic recognition, but as other institutions of higher learning arrived in Murfreesboro, the Soule student body began to decline. The final commencement ceremony was held on May 27th, 1917, with Jean Faircloth as the valedictorian of the last class at Soule College. At this point, the building had already been sold to the city for a whopping $4,000!

Look for more on the locals schools past and present in future posts :).

Posted By: Karen Boynton

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