The Marissa Academy was formed in 1886 to provide secondary education for
area youths. For a few years classes were taught in various locations but
in 1891 a structure to house the school was built. It still stands in the
village park and is the only structure of it's type remaining in Illinois.
Today it serves as the home of the Marissa Historical and Genealogical
Society and through their efforts it has been added to the National Register of
Historical Sites. The building is open to the public and contains
extensive genealogical records and interesting historical documents and
artifacts - including the desk that served as the first Marissa Post Office.
