Clarksburg once a hub of education

CLARKSBURG, Mo. - At one time, Clarksburg was the education center of Missouri, boasting three schools and known all over the state for its education facilities. Hooper Institute, Clarksburg College and a public school were well-known because of the lack of schools of this type.

The Hooper Institute, established in 1876 by Professor J.N Hooper, was not a college. Instead it was a preparatory school that readied its students for college. An old newspaper article said Hooper Institute graduates were admitted to the University of Missouri without examination. The Hooper Institute was destroyed by fire in 1909.

Ethel “Granny” Baker is the oldest Clarksburg resident. She has lived in the vicinity of Clarksburg all of her life. Baker continues to live on her own and babysit children in the neighborhood. (Ra'Vae Edwards/News Tribune photo)

The Clarksburg College was established in 1877. After several years, the Concord Baptist Association purchased the college and it remained open until 1912.

Although it is still incorporated as a fourth-class city, the population has dwindled to less than 400 people and the number of businesses has dropped to a restaurant, a general store, a post office, a beauty salon and a few home-based businesses.

Located about six miles west of California, Mo., on Highway H, and one mile from U.S. 50, Clarksburg recently has experienced a few changes in its appearance with the help of Mark and Ginger Crawford.

For several years, D & T Market, in the downtown stretch of buildings, was owned and operated by Dewey Yarnell. After his death several months ago, the Crawfords purchased the building, remodeled the inside and re-opened the business under the name of the Clarksburg General Store.

“I saw a need here in the community and I thought it would be a nice addition,” Crawford said.

Although newly remodeled, stepping into the business is like taking a step back in time. The walls are adorned with old photographs of Clarksburg taken during the booming days. An original light fixture, saved from when the building was the bank, is hanging in the corner.

In addition to a small line of groceries, the small building serves as a small cafe with daily lunch specials. Crawford said because business has grown so quickly, they recently purchased two additional buildings and plan to expand within the next several months.

Aunt Bee's, a small, homey restaurant on the corner, offers home cooked meals and a nice atmosphere for the townsfolks to meet and discuss the town's happenings.

The post office is still in operation and a beauty shop was recently opened by longtime resident Rhonda Carpenter.

“It's nice to see the area grow,” said Ethel “Granny” Baker. “At one time, Clarksburg used to have everything you could think of. But for a lot of years it's been pretty light around here.”

And if anyone would know, it would be Granny. She is the oldest living Clarksburg resident. In December, God willing, she says, she will turn 104 years old.

Except for suffering from polio in her early 30s and breaking her hip when she was 101, Granny Baker says not much has ever slowed her down.

“If I felt a little bit better and I could do it, I'd be out mowing my grass today,” she said.

Still baby-sitting as often as she can and still living in her 150-year-old home, Baker is a wealth of information about the community she has lived in her entire life.

“I have always loved Clarksburg. It's home,” she said. “I can't think of one other place I would rather be but right here in my own home in my hometown.”

The history of Clarksburg ...

In 1839, Sebastian Sappington settled in the Clarksburg area, coming in from Richmond. In 1840, Hiram Clark, came to the area from Logan County, Ky., and chose to make Clarksburg his home.

In March 1859, a post office was established at which time the name Clarksburg became final. In September of the same year, the first store was opened and the town started to grow. Several businesses were popping up all over, including a garage, a blacksmith and a telephone company.

As the town continued to grow, so did the need for transportation. The Pacific Railroad built a platform depot which became known as Moniteau Station. Although many people believed that was the name of the town, history records indicate the town was never called Moniteau Station.

Later, as the station was used more, townsfolk convinced the railroad company to change the name of the depot to the Clarksburg.

The Clarksburg school houses students in kindergarten through the eighth grade. After completeing the eighth grade, students have a choice of attending high school in either California or Tipton. (Ra'Vae Edwards/News Tribune photo)