The University of Missouri was founded in 1839. Controversy over where the University would be built began in the 1830’s. Six counties bid on the project; most of them were only able to raise a little over $1,000. Boone County was able to raise more than $118,000 in cash, land and buildings. The state did not appropriate funds for the University until 1867. When Academic Hall Burned down in 1892, there was talk of moving the University to another community. In order to keep it in Columbia, citizens raised $50,000 for the construction of Jesse Hall. Today, the University of Missouri has a student population of more than 30,000 and is Columbia’s largest employer.