Document Type
Finding Aid
Publication Date
2015
Abstract
The Caledonia Baptist Academy was a boarding school, and operated from 1920 until 1927. At that time public school district of Union County voted to establish a high school and the property of the Academy was sold to the district for that purpose (see page 159 of the ledger). Board of Trustees meetings were held at the First Baptist Church of El Dorado, but it is not clear if the Academy was operated by that church.
These Caledonia Baptist Academy records were found among the personal effects of Robert Clarence Taylor (1894-1985) after his death. Taylor served as secretary of the Board of Trustees for the Academy until early 1927. The records were presented to Ouachita Baptist University to be added to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention collection by Ira W. Taylor, nephew of Robert Clarence Taylor, who now owns the family property at Caledonia, Arkansas. The recipient of these materials, on behalf of the university, Dr. George Truett Blackmon (1903-1979), was a professor of religion at Ouachita Baptist University. Blackmon was a chaplain during World War II, and served as officer for several Baptist, civic and historical organizations. It was his interest in Baptist and historic materials that promoted the acquisition of these materials for the university.
Union County is located in southern Arkansas on the border with Louisiana. Its county seat is El Dorado. The county was formed on November 2, 1829, from parts of Clark and Hempstead counties. Caledonia is located in Jackson Township and is near Junction City.
The Caledonia Baptist Academy ledger contains financial records and minutes of the Board of Trustees from 1921 to 1927. Names of the students can be found in the financial records and trustees are listed in the minutes. The financial records indicate that piano and voice were extra courses offered at the school as well as the Dramatic Club. Other supplementary materials include letters, notes, and a newspaper article.
Recommended Citation
Caledonia Baptist Academy Records. Arkansas State Baptist Convention Collection. Riley- Hickingbotham Library Special Collections, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas.