Built in 1863, at the end of the Civil War, the school was one of the first schools in the Midwest with a second story. The place still boasts a home-spun appeal, from the goats and geese roaming around out back to the family-style dining: the menu, like the rest of the place, relies heavily on simple, all-American charms. Traditional entrees like fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf and baked cod are accompanied by balanced-meal choices like fluffy mashed potatoes, vegetables, freshly made salads, and corn bread served family style.