The next time you are traveling along Interstate 70 between Columbia, Missouri, and St. Louis, plan on getting off the highway at Exit 170.
Here at the Danville Exit there are some interesting historical sites right on the north outer road.
Just go a little way east on the north outer road for three blocks and there is a historic Civil War site. This building is the last remaining building of the Danville Female Academy.
The Female Academy was founded in 1853 by James H. Robinson and is considered one of the first female colleges west of the Mississippi River.
The academy became a substantial facility during the years of its operation (1853-1865).
On the evening of October 14, 1864, Confederate rebel horsemen rode into the town of Danville. Although Union troops were stationed here to protect the town, at this time they were several miles east of here guarding the North Missouri Railroad.
