Lexington in Lafayette County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Elizabeth Aull Seminary

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 30, 2024

1. Elizabeth Aull Seminary → Marker

Inscription. This school for young ladies, named for its benefactress, under the control of trustees chosen by Presbyterian Church of Lexington & Presbytery of Lafayette, was chartered Feb. 12, 1859 and began its first term Sept. 1860 with Rev. Lewis G. Barbour as president. Its most distinguished president was Dr. A. J. Quarles who made many improvements & striking innovations. In its heyday this old mansion was enlarged to include the brick residence to the west. This college made a very fine contribution to the education of women in the mid-west during the forty-three years of its existence.

Erected by Lafayette County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1859.

Location. 39° 11.106′ N, 93° 53.267′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Missouri, in Lafayette County. It is at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Ice Street, on the right when traveling south on Highland Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 766 Highland Ave, Lexington MO 64067, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

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,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fifth Branch Bank Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trail of Death (about 700 feet away); Madonna of the Trail Monument (about 700 feet away); Alexander Mitchell & Company Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Price's Headquarters (approx. ¼ mile away); Original Site of Russell, Majors and Waddell Home Office (approx. ¼ mile away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. ¼ mile away); Wentworth World War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Regarding Elizabeth Aull Seminary.

Elizabeth Aull (1790-1858) was an early settler with her brothers and was
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 30, 2024

2. Elizabeth Aull Seminary Marker
a historical figure in the cultural growth of Lexington. Elizabeth left property and money to the Presbyterian Church to start a school for women. The school was called the Elizabeth Aull Seminary, located on Highland Avenue and was open from 1860 to 1903. — National Register nomination for the Machpelah Cemetery, prepared by Tom Beard and Shirley Ross, 2022.

Elizabeth Aull Seminary image. Click for full size.

Atlas map of Lafayette County, Mo., Missouri Pub. Co.; via Missouri Digital Heritage (Public Domain), 1877

3. Elizabeth Aull Seminary

An artist's rendition of what the school looked like in the mid-1870s.

Postcard dated postmarked 1907 image. Click for full size.

Unknown [public domain], January 7, 2026

4. Postcard dated postmarked 1907

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 645 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on January 8, 2026, by Richard Zimmer of St.Louis, Missouri.