Chillicothe Business College

Allen Moore, Sr. founded the Chillicothe Normal School and Business Institute in 1890 after choosing Chillicothe because of the progressive spirit he saw in the town's citizens. The city purchased the site and constructed the academic building for $25,000, while Moore built the first dormitory, and more than 600 students attended in the first year. After Allen Moore Sr. died in 1907, Allen Moore, Jr. became president and Roy Moore vice president. As enrollment grew and students wanted more business subjects such as bookkeeping, stenography, telegraphy, and penmanship, the school was renamed Chillicothe Business College in 1910. It became known as the largest school in America devoted exclusively to business education. During the next forty-two years, the campus added classrooms, a dining hall, dormitories, a gymnasium, and a football stadium, while student activities included band, orchestra, and athletics in football, basketball, and track. During World War II and the Korean War, C.B.C. trained supply clerks for the U.S. Army Air Corps. After Allen Moore, Jr. died in 1945, Allen Moore III became president and Ralph Moore vice president, and they continued operating C.B.C. until 1953, when they closed the college because of courses offered by high schools, technology, and the economics of the times. During its sixty-two years, more than 120,000 students became alumni. The college contributed to Chillicothe economically and gave the town an identity, with orange and black arrow road signs marking the mileage to Chillicothe, Mo., across the nation, including Alaska.

Chillicothe, Missouri · United States