Stella Friends Academy

I found this 1904 photograph amongst my Grandma & Grandpa McGill's possessions. The Stella Friends Academy was located 1.9 miles east of the hwy 64 & Oklahoma hwy 11 jct north of Cherokee, Oklahoma, in Alfalfa County (a part of M county during pre-statehood days).

On the back of the SFA 1904 photo...

On the Back of the Photo it reads.... "Teacher, please let scholars see the picture while in their seats. 2 at a time can see much better & not let a bunch look or try to look at once, as likely to soil picture. This is one and let me know soon as possible how many more wanted at 25 cts. ea. Thanking you and all for favors. I am Resptly, B. F. Smith"

Stella Friends Academy Marker...

It sets on the southside of hwy11, where a mobile home and farm now reside. The historical marker reads, "Buildings near here from 1897 under auspices of Friends Church, the academy was noted for high moral, spiritual and scholastic standards. Closed 1922. Named for teacher of 1st school (1893) in this vicinity, a sod house near Stella Church in Cherokee Strip."

I found this snapshot of the old Stella Friends Academy in the Alfalfa County Historical Society's book, "Our Alfalfa County Heritage, 1893-1976." The book also mentioned, "The higher education problem was solved for the Riverside District when the Stella District, just east of Riverside, erected the "Stella Friends Academy." The Stella Academy was a stringent 4 year High School education that required 3 years of latin. It had boys and girls dormitories. Charge for rooms per month was $1.25 and Board for a full week was $2.25 or $1.75 for a 5 day week.