The original 200-acre college farm (on the northwest side of the campus, mostly south of the Wabash tracks in the high-rise dormitory area). This farm was part of the original massive Faustiana Farm, which stretched around the college on the west and north, as opposed to the later, much smaller Townsend Faustiana, which was mostly south of the highway. It was a working farm providing milk and chickens for the college. Among the livestock were Daisy and Queen, mules used to dig the foundation for Martindale Gymnasium, which opened in 1926. For the record, Northwest adopted the Bearcat mascot in 1916, and Central Missouri adopted the Mule as mascot in 1922. The image is AI colorized/enhanced source image is below.
Source image:
“Mules Martindale” Newspapers.com. The Maryville Daily Forum, March 13, 1958. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-mules-martinda/195583365/.
- Mules: built a gym. Bearcats: brought the crowd that fills it. Local economy wins.
- Northwest picked Bearcats in 1916 — smart move. You can’t exactly saddle a bearcat and make it haul gym bricks.
- Central Missouri’s mascot is a Mule — dependable, stubborn, and somehow always blocking the lane when you need a shot.
- Bearcats vs. Mules: one team climbs, one team refuses to move — pick your strategy.
- The Bearcats brought the claws in 1916; the Mules brought the work boots in 1922. The scoreboard settles who’s more effective.
- The Bearcats had real mules build the gym in 1926 — now the Bearcats just try to remodel the plays.
- When people ask why the rivalry is so intense, explain: it’s not personal — it’s structural. One team’s mascot literally laid the foundation.
- Bearcats like to pounce. Mules prefer to stand their ground. Together, they make Martindale a full-contact zoo.
- The Mules’ game plan: haul the ball down the court. The Bearcats’ plan: pounce before it knows what hit it.
- The Mules’ motto: “We hauled this gym.” The Bearcats’ motto: “We own the highlight reel.”
- The Bearcats are nimble; the Mules are noticeable. Together, they make great local theater.
- At the end of the day, Martindale’s real winner is history — built by Mules, celebrated by Bearcats, remembered by both.