Fayetteville in Washington County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Far West Seminary
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023
1. Far West Seminary Marker
This was the campus of Far West Seminary, founded by the Rev. Cephas Washburn and chartered by the State of Arkansas in 1840. Its successor school, the Rev. Robert W. Mecklin's Ozark Institute, was located a half mile east of this site. These early schools helped give our county its educational reputation that resulted in the establishment of the State University in 1871. Other early teachers here were Robert Graham, Peter and James Van Hoose, Prof. Lockhart, Charles M. Leverett and Miss Annie James, principal of the girls' school. Graham took 20 of his boys with him in 1850 to Fayetteville to start Arkansas College, the first college in Arkansas to grant academic degrees.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 36° 5.572′ N, 94° 12.861′ W. Marker is in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in Washington County. It is on West Mount Comfort Road (County Road 84) west of Rupple Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3816 W Mt Comfort Rd, Fayetteville AR 72704, United States
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Arkansas, on the Ozark Plateau, in the Cherokee Heritage Region, and in Osage Territory. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ozarks. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Mt. Comfort (here, next to this marker); Mount Comfort in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); George and Boyce Billingsley (approx. 2½ miles away); Wilson Matthews (approx. 2½ miles away); Orville Henry (approx. 2½ miles away); Dr. Frank Oldham Jr. (approx. 2½ miles away); Jackson T. Stephens (approx. 2½ miles away); Jon Richardson (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayetteville.
Regarding Far West Seminary. The school actually
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023
2. Far West Seminary Marker
Featured marker is on the right.
Also see . . . Far West Seminary. Encyclopedia of Arkansas website entry:
After the state failed to use its federal seminary grant to create a state university, northwest Arkansas educators and promoters in 1840 began discussing the need for a facility for higher education. (Submitted on May 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
