Staunton Military Academy
Encyclopedia
Staunton Military Academy was an all-male military academy located in Staunton, Virginia
for much of its 116-year history. The school closed in 1976. Many notable American political and military leaders are graduates. A museum of the school's history is located on the Mary Baldwin College
campus.
, Jefferson County, Virginia
(now West Virginia
). At the start of the American Civil War
William Kable joined the Confederate Army and served with distinction as a Captain in the 10th Virginia Cavalry
(CSA
). After the war, Captain Kable re-established his school at its original location. During this time period the school was known to the townspeople as The Kable School and its cadets were known as the "Kable boys".
In 1883, the school moved to Staunton, Virginia
and became Staunton Male Academy. Captain Kable bought the site on the hill from a Mr. Alby, a prominent businessman. Acquisition of other large areas of land near the Alby estate continued until 1910. The school adopted the military system in 1886 and changed its name to Staunton Military Academy, or SMA, following by incorporation in 1893.
In 1900, Captain Kable turned over management of the school to his son, Colonel William Gibbs Kable (1872-1920). Colonel Kable proved to be very capable in school building and school management. He was a firm believer in advertising and used this medium extensively to bring the attention of the school to the public.
In November 1904, a fire destroyed the entire establishment, except for the founder's home and the old school hospital. Both barracks burned to the ground, but because of the brave and swift action of all involved, not a single life was lost. Following the fire, development of the campus was rapid: the South Barracks were completed in 214 days in 1905, the Mess Hall was constructed in 1913 on the site of the original mess hall, and the North Barracks were completed in 1918. By the 1930s, the campus also boasted Kable Hall, Memorial Hall, West Barracks, and the Superintendent's home.
In 1917, the Academy became an official unit of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(JROTC) Program. Two Regular Army
First Sergeants were assigned to provide military instruction. The school survived the Great Depression
and later prospered, becoming one of the country's most prestigious military preparatory schools. Situated on the Hill with an enrollment that exceeded 600 cadets, SMA grew into a strong economic force in the Staunton community. In addition, the cadets often participated in parades at various occasions in Staunton and neighboring towns.
With the 1960s came a new generation, geared to permissiveness and nonconformity, rather than regimentation and discretion. The fallout from Vietnam
helped perpetuate an anti-military sentiment that further eroded enrollments at military schools throughout the country. Despite the best efforts of a dedicated and talented faculty and staff, inflation and unemployment weakened the schools finances, in the early 1970s.
Faced with the prospect of bankruptcy
, the Kable family elected to sell the academy. The new owner, Layne Loeffler, changed SMA's charter to non-profit status when he took over the school in 1973, but it was too late. The deteriorating situation, combined with management problems, forced the academy to close in 1976, some 116 years after its founding. Mary Baldwin College
, SMA's longtime neighbor and "big sister" bought the property for $1.1 million in a bankruptcy sale.
In 2001, a joint SMA-VWIL museum opened in the former SMA supply room at 227 Kable Street in Staunton. Additionally, the alumni association has endowed four scholarships to keep SMA's legacy alive: the SMA Leadership Scholarship, the Henry Scholarship Honoring SMA, and the Henry SMA Legacy Scholarship for VWIL cadets, and the SMA-John Deal Education Scholarship for a Florida State University student.
In April of each year an SMA all class reunion is held in Staunton. Events include an "Old Boys" parade on Friday afternoon in conjunction with VWIL on the former SMA parade field, and a banquet on Saturday night.
Builders, who reported a 4-5-1 football record with SMA. The academy also had a group known as the Howie Rifles, a nationally known trick rifle squad.
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
for much of its 116-year history. The school closed in 1976. Many notable American political and military leaders are graduates. A museum of the school's history is located on the Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin College is a private, independent, and comprehensive four-year liberal arts women's college in Staunton, Virginia. It was ranked in 2008 by US News & World Report as a top-tier, master's level university in the South. Mary Baldwin offers pre-professional programs in law, medicine,...
campus.
History
Charlestown Male Academy was founded in September 1860, by William Hartman Kable (1837-1912) at Charles TownCharles Town, West Virginia
Charles Town is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,907 at the 2000 census. Due to its similar name, travelers have sometimes confused this city with the state's capital, Charleston.-History:...
, Jefferson County, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
). At the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
William Kable joined the Confederate Army and served with distinction as a Captain in the 10th Virginia Cavalry
10th Virginia Cavalry
The 10th Virginia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment raised in Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia....
(CSA
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
). After the war, Captain Kable re-established his school at its original location. During this time period the school was known to the townspeople as The Kable School and its cadets were known as the "Kable boys".
In 1883, the school moved to Staunton, Virginia
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
and became Staunton Male Academy. Captain Kable bought the site on the hill from a Mr. Alby, a prominent businessman. Acquisition of other large areas of land near the Alby estate continued until 1910. The school adopted the military system in 1886 and changed its name to Staunton Military Academy, or SMA, following by incorporation in 1893.
In 1900, Captain Kable turned over management of the school to his son, Colonel William Gibbs Kable (1872-1920). Colonel Kable proved to be very capable in school building and school management. He was a firm believer in advertising and used this medium extensively to bring the attention of the school to the public.
In November 1904, a fire destroyed the entire establishment, except for the founder's home and the old school hospital. Both barracks burned to the ground, but because of the brave and swift action of all involved, not a single life was lost. Following the fire, development of the campus was rapid: the South Barracks were completed in 214 days in 1905, the Mess Hall was constructed in 1913 on the site of the original mess hall, and the North Barracks were completed in 1918. By the 1930s, the campus also boasted Kable Hall, Memorial Hall, West Barracks, and the Superintendent's home.
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a Federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States...
(JROTC) Program. Two Regular Army
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
First Sergeants were assigned to provide military instruction. The school survived the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and later prospered, becoming one of the country's most prestigious military preparatory schools. Situated on the Hill with an enrollment that exceeded 600 cadets, SMA grew into a strong economic force in the Staunton community. In addition, the cadets often participated in parades at various occasions in Staunton and neighboring towns.
With the 1960s came a new generation, geared to permissiveness and nonconformity, rather than regimentation and discretion. The fallout from Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
helped perpetuate an anti-military sentiment that further eroded enrollments at military schools throughout the country. Despite the best efforts of a dedicated and talented faculty and staff, inflation and unemployment weakened the schools finances, in the early 1970s.
Faced with the prospect of bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
, the Kable family elected to sell the academy. The new owner, Layne Loeffler, changed SMA's charter to non-profit status when he took over the school in 1973, but it was too late. The deteriorating situation, combined with management problems, forced the academy to close in 1976, some 116 years after its founding. Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin College
Mary Baldwin College is a private, independent, and comprehensive four-year liberal arts women's college in Staunton, Virginia. It was ranked in 2008 by US News & World Report as a top-tier, master's level university in the South. Mary Baldwin offers pre-professional programs in law, medicine,...
, SMA's longtime neighbor and "big sister" bought the property for $1.1 million in a bankruptcy sale.
Staunton Military Academy today
Today, many of the buildings where SMA cadets lived and learned are still used by Mary Baldwin. The SMA Mess Hall sign still hangs over the entrance to the building, now called the Student Activities Center. The military legacy of the academy's grounds continues through the college's Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership (VWIL), the only all-women's corps of cadets in the world.In 2001, a joint SMA-VWIL museum opened in the former SMA supply room at 227 Kable Street in Staunton. Additionally, the alumni association has endowed four scholarships to keep SMA's legacy alive: the SMA Leadership Scholarship, the Henry Scholarship Honoring SMA, and the Henry SMA Legacy Scholarship for VWIL cadets, and the SMA-John Deal Education Scholarship for a Florida State University student.
In April of each year an SMA all class reunion is held in Staunton. Events include an "Old Boys" parade on Friday afternoon in conjunction with VWIL on the former SMA parade field, and a banquet on Saturday night.
Campus
- Kable House; built 1873, added to the VLR 1978-12-19, NRHP 1979-06-19 (Ref. # 79003299)
- two barracks; destroyed in 1904 fire
- South Barracks; built 1905, demolished c. 1980
- Mess Hall, built 1913, currently Mary Baldwin College Student Activities Center
- Superintendent's home; built 1916, currently the Mary Baldwin College President's Home
- North Barracks; built 1918, demolished in 1980s
- Kable Hall; built by the 1930s, currently Kable Residence Hall
- Memorial Hall; built by the 1930s, currently Bertie Murphy Deming Fine Arts Center
- West Barracks; built by the 1930s
- Tullidge Hall; built 1966
Faculty
Notable faculty include:- Thomas D. HowieThomas D. HowieThomas Dry Howie was an American army officer, killed during the Battle of Normandy during World War II, while trying to capture the French town of Saint-Lô. He is known as "The Major of St...
, "the Major of St. Lo" - Alexander PatchAlexander PatchGeneral Alexander McCarrell "Sandy" Patch was an officer in the United States Army, best known for his service in World War II. He commanded Army and Marine forces during the invasion of Guadalcanal, and the U.S...
, commander of the Seventh Army 1944-1945 - Colonel Robert H. Wease, Professor of Government
Extracurricular activities
Staunton Military Academy sports teams played other prep schools, college freshman teams and even college teams, such as The Apprentice SchoolThe Apprentice School
The Apprentice School is a four-year apprenticeship vocational school founded and operated by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. The school trains students for careers in the shipbuilding industry...
Builders, who reported a 4-5-1 football record with SMA. The academy also had a group known as the Howie Rifles, a nationally known trick rifle squad.
Notable alumni
- Winton M. BlountWinton M. BlountWinton Malcolm "Red" Blount, Jr. was the United States Postmaster General from 1969-1972. He is also known as the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the large construction company Blount International....
(1938), United States Postmaster GeneralUnited States Postmaster GeneralThe United States Postmaster General is the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Postal Service. The office, in one form or another, is older than both the United States Constitution and the United States Declaration of Independence...
1969-71 - John DeanJohn DeanJohn Wesley Dean III is an American lawyer who served as White House Counsel to United States President Richard Nixon from July 1970 until April 1973. In this position, he became deeply involved in events leading up to the Watergate burglaries and the subsequent Watergate scandal cover-up...
(1957), White House Counsel 1970-73 - Walter E. ForanWalter E. ForanWalter Edge "Moose" Foran was an American Republican Party politician from New Jersey, who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Arthur F. Foran, who served in the New Jersey Senate.-Biography:Foran was born in Flemington, New Jersey, the...
, member of the New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
1969-86 - Robert T. FrederickRobert T. FrederickRobert Tryon Frederick was a highly decorated American combat commander during World War II, who commanded the 1st Special Service Force, the 1st Airborne Task Force and the 45th Infantry Division.-Career:...
(1924), World War II combat commander - Barry GoldwaterBarry GoldwaterBarry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
(1928), five-term United States Senator from Arizona (1953–65, 1969–87) - Barry Goldwater, Jr.Barry Goldwater, Jr.Barry Morris Goldwater, Jr. , is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from California, 1969–1983. He is the son of the late Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee who ran against Lyndon B. Johnson for President of the United States during...
(1957), United States Representative from California 1969-83 - Gary M. HeidnikGary M. HeidnikGary Michael Heidnik was an American murderer who kidnapped, tortured and raped six women and kept them prisoner in his Philadelphia, Pennsylvania basement.-Childhood:...
, Convicted Murderer - David McCampbellDavid McCampbellCaptain David McCampbell was an American naval aviator, who became the US Navy’s all-time leading ace with 34 aerial victories during World War II. The third-highest scoring US flying ace of World War II, he was the highest-scoring to survive the war.McCampbell was born in Bessemer, Alabama, and...
(1928), World War II Navy "Ace of Aces" and Medal of Honor recipient - Phil OchsPhil OchsPhilip David Ochs was an American protest singer and songwriter who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and haunting voice...
(1958), folk-protest singer - Chuck PfarrerChuck PfarrerCharles Patrick "Chuck" Pfarrer, III is an American novelist, screenwriter, and former U.S. Navy SEAL from Biloxi, Mississippi.-Biography:...
(1975), ex-Navy SEAL, novelist, screenwriter - Bill QuinlanBill QuinlanWilliam David Quinlan is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and the Washington Redskins. He also played in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
(1952), NFL player for nine seasons - Lennie RosenbluthLennie RosenbluthLeonard Robert "Lennie" Rosenbluth is an American former basketball player.-Biography:...
, NBA basketball player - Bob SavageBob SavageJohn Robert Savage is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Savage pitched in all or part of five seasons in the major leagues between and ....
(1942), Philadelphia Athletics pitcher - John F. SeiberlingJohn F. SeiberlingJohn Frederick Seiberling, Jr. was a United States Representative from Ohio. In 1974, he helped to establish what later became the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and served on the House Judiciary Committee that held the impeachment hearings against President Richard Nixon.-Biography:Born in Akron,...
(1937), United States Representative from Ohio 1971-87 - Ricardo MartinelliRicardo MartinelliRicardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal is a Panamanian politician and businessman who was elected the 49th President of Panama in 2009. He is a Panamanian of Italian descent from his father's side.- Early life :...
, President of the Republic of Panama 2009-2014 - A.J. Tim Rodenberg, Sheriff of Clermont County OH 1997-
- Ed BeardEd BeardFor the football player of the same name see Ed Beard .Ed Beard, or Edward Beard, aka Edward "Red" Beard, was a gambler and saloon keeper of the Old West....
, (1960) NFL San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - John Miska, (1973) Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
1990 Video, 1991 Technical Support - George Bowler Tullidge III, (1941) Member of 82nd Airborne, wounded at Normandy June 6, 1944, died in Cambridge, England June 8, 1944. Namesake of Tullidge Hall.