Opened in 1851, Farmers Institute Academy was the first school of higher learning in rural Tippecanoe County, built by the Society of Friends of this neighborhood. Enrollment included local and non-local students and youths from other states. It offered primary through college preparatory courses, maintained a large and exceptional library, and had some of the foremost educators of that day teaching there. Non-local youths lived in a large boarding house for $1.00 per week. Its successful operation ceased in 1874, when the building became the Meeting House. In 1882 a subscription academy opened on the second floor, became a township high school, and continued until 1888. Today the building remains the local Meeting House.