Marmaduke Military Academy
Encyclopedia
Marmaduke Military Academy was a boys' military school that operated in Sweet Springs, Missouri
from 1891 to 1896.
In 1891, Charles T. Farrar and Frank R. Tate purchased a closed resort hotel in Sweet Springs and established Marmaduke Military Academy to "develop soldier-like qualities and to make capable men." The salt and sulphur springs in Saline County, Missouri attracted cadets and vacationers to the small town. In fact, the owners leased out the academy in the summers to use as a resort once again. Each night, a St. Louis orchestra would play in the ballroom/gymnasium, and lawn croquet was a favorite game.
In an 1892 article published in OUTING magazine titled "Military Schools of the United States" (pp 330,388,473)Marmaduke is identified as the state chartered military school for Missouri. It did therefore receive funding from the state for its operation.
In 1896, the barracks/resort burned to the ground. The owners chose not to rebuild, but instead sold their assets to Wentworth Military Academy
in Lexington, Missouri
. Among the Marmaduke faculty who moved on to Wentworth was bandmaster E. J. Stark, later to become a noted ragtime
composer.
Sweet Springs, Missouri
Sweet Springs is a city in Saline County, Missouri, along the Blackwater River. The population was 1,628 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sweet Springs is located at...
from 1891 to 1896.
In 1891, Charles T. Farrar and Frank R. Tate purchased a closed resort hotel in Sweet Springs and established Marmaduke Military Academy to "develop soldier-like qualities and to make capable men." The salt and sulphur springs in Saline County, Missouri attracted cadets and vacationers to the small town. In fact, the owners leased out the academy in the summers to use as a resort once again. Each night, a St. Louis orchestra would play in the ballroom/gymnasium, and lawn croquet was a favorite game.
In an 1892 article published in OUTING magazine titled "Military Schools of the United States" (pp 330,388,473)Marmaduke is identified as the state chartered military school for Missouri. It did therefore receive funding from the state for its operation.
In 1896, the barracks/resort burned to the ground. The owners chose not to rebuild, but instead sold their assets to Wentworth Military Academy
Wentworth Military Academy
Wentworth Military Academy and College is a private four-year college preparatory high school and military junior college. It is located in Lexington, Missouri, part of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Wentworth is the oldest military academy west of the Mississippi River, and the...
in Lexington, Missouri
Lexington, Missouri
Lexington is a city in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,453 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lafayette County. Located in western Missouri, Lexington lies about 40 miles east of Kansas City and is part of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
. Among the Marmaduke faculty who moved on to Wentworth was bandmaster E. J. Stark, later to become a noted ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
composer.