Columbia - University of Missouri-Columbia

In 1839, a competition ensued among several of the counties under consideration to raise the most in cash and land "subscriptions" to provide for construction and support of a University. Boone County was able to collect the greatest total, just over $118,000, and its leading city, Columbia, was chosen as the site of the University of Missouri. It became a leading graduate and research institution. The School of Journalism was the first of its kind.