School History

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Staunton Military Academy Alumni Association</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Staunton Military Academy Alumni Associa"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="contact.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="registration.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership"><U>Membership</U></A>   |   <A HREF="email.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Email Directory "><U>Email Directory </U></A>   |   <A HREF="board.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><U>Board of Directors</U></A>   |   <B>School History</B>   |   <A HREF="halloffame.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hall of Fame"><U>Hall of Fame</U></A>   |   <A HREF="museum.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Museum"><U>Museum</U></A>   |   <A HREF="scholarships.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scholarships"><U>Scholarships</U></A>   |   <A HREF="store.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cadet Store"><U>Cadet Store</U></A>   |   <A HREF="reunion.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SMA Reunion"><U>SMA Reunion</U></A>   |   <A HREF="news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News"><U>News</U></A>   |   <A HREF="msgboard.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Message Board"><U>Message Board</U></A>   |   <A HREF="taps.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Taps"><U>Taps</U></A>   |   <A HREF="links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.gif"> <div> <IMG SRC="082393d0.gif" border=0 width="57" height="61" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="0bc77c40.jpg" border=0 width="119" height="196" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Captain William H. Kable</B></div> <div> Founder and Principal</div> <div> SMA</div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06a96b13.gif"> <div> <I>School History</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="623" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 171 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1c899a50.gif" border=0 width="153" height="165" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM COLSPAN=2><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1cf35a50.jpg" border=0 width="309" height="165" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1cc9ea50.jpg" border=0 width="158" height="165" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM HEIGHT= 149 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1af968f0.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="143" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b19b8f0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="143" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b59b8f0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="143" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=BOTTOM><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b39b8f0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="143" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 166 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1ba14a00.jpg" border=0 width="276" height="160" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1bb14a00.jpg" border=0 width="276" height="160" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 146 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1be9b8c0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="140" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1c09b8c0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="140" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1c29b8c0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="140" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1c49b8c0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="140" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>SMA School History</B></div> <div> By Mark J. Orr, SMA '73</div> <bR> <div> <B>Staunton Military Academy</B></div> <div> September 1860 - June 1976</div> <bR> <div> Staunton Military Academy was founded in September 1860, by William Hartman Kable (1837-1912) at Charlestown, Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia). At the time, the school was known as the Charlestown Male Academy. Its founder was William Hartman Kable, a graduate of the University of Virginia. His goal - to teach and train young men of America to become good and serviceable citizens. Shortly after the schools' founding, the Civil War broke out. William H. Kable joined the Confederate Army and served with distinction as a Captain in the 10th Virginia Cavalry, Southern Army. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0bbd55e0.jpg" border=0 width="213" height="350" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Captain William Hartman Kable</B></div> <bR> <div> After the Civil War that part of the state of Virginia where the town of Charlestown was situated, became a part of the new state of West Virginia. After the war, Captain Kable re-established his school at its original location, and conducted it most successfully at that location. Captain Kable was an educator in the highest sense. He was equipped to teach in nearly every branch of knowledge. He taught Greek, Latin, French, and Spanish, together with numerous other subjects. He was truly an educator. He was a strict disciplinarian. All through this period of its history the school was known to the townspeople as The Kable School, and its Cadets were known as the "Kable boys." </div> <bR> <div> Captain Kable's longing for the South became too strong and in 1883, he moved the school to Staunton, Virginia and renamed it Staunton Male Academy. Captain Kable bought the site on the hill from a Mr. Alby, a prominent businessman of the decade following the Civil War. The original grounds were much smaller than the present campus, now occupied by Mary Baldwin College. Acquisition of other large areas of land near the Alby estate continued until 1910. The relocation to Staunton provided the school with a much more desirable location and surroundings. </div> <bR> <div> In its early years at Staunton, the founder of the school and his family lived in the building now known as the Kable House. The boys lived upstairs in the building over the home of Captain Kable. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1c56b020.jpg" border=0 width="363" height="258" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Kable House</B></div> <bR> <div> A Commodore Skinner of the Confederate Navy owned the old Junior School Principal's residence, which was originally the school hospital. Upon his death, he willed it to his to a maiden sister who was to will the home to the University of Virginia upon her death. In 1912, the University sold the property to the Academy. The home is the oldest buildings on the hill being about 145 years old. Other cadets lived in a frame building, which stood on the site occupied by the Southeast corner of South Barracks. In addition to these two buildings, there was another, which contained classrooms and a study hall. </div> <bR> <div> The school was not military while at Charlestown, nor was it military until the year 1886, a few years after relocating to Staunton. With the addition of the military system, the name of the school changed to the Staunton Military Academy, or SMA. The citizens of Staunton knew the academy as "The Kable School" and called its cadets the "Kable Boys."</div> <bR> <div> The Academy grew quickly. In 1893, the school was incorporated. The original charter was written by Judge J.L.S. Kirby, a brother-in-law of Captain Kable, who, along with Robert E. Lee, left the United States Military Academy at the outbreak of the Civil War to fight for the South. For many years, Judge Kirby was in charge of all legal business of the Academy. </div> <bR> <div> In 1900, Captain Kable turned over to his son, Colonel William Gibbs Kable (1872-1920), the management of the academy. Colonel William G. Kable was a genius in school building and in school management. The Academy grew and prospered in an eminent degree and was placed by Colonel Kable in an outstanding position among the educational institutions of its type. Its new president was a firm believer in advertising and used this medium extensively to bring the attention of the school to the public.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#800080" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1d55e880.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="136" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Advertisement for SMA from 1903</B></div> <bR> <div> At that time the Kable House residence was the only building; however, a one-story building was erected on the site of the South Barracks, which consisted of a large schoolroom surrounded by and giving access to a number of classrooms. </div> <bR> <div> Shortly thereafter, a large frame barracks was erected at a point between the school house building and the residence. This building was three stories in height. Its basement had a large room, which was used for a gymnasium and for drilling cadets during inclement weather. It was also used to conduct all the social functions of the school.</div> <bR> <div> In November 1904, disaster struck SMA. A fire destroyed the entire establishment, except for the founder's home and the old school hospital. Both barracks burned to the ground. The fire broke out at two in the morning. </div> <bR> <div> Colonel Thomas H. Russell, who had just come to the institution as a teacher the year before, had a room in a wing leading off from the main building itself. He awoke, disturbed by the heat, and on looking up saw the flames eating their way through his ceiling. On going to his door, he found the hallway a mass of flames. His window was thirty or forty feet from the ground. As he was deliberating what he was going to do, a cadet dashed into his room, having come through the passageway, flames and all. With the knowledge that the floor was still sound they forced their way back the same way, not without losing their hair in the fire. Then with several assistants they went through the rooms of the barracks. Knowing there was no time to lose by talking, they took the occupants of each room and dumped them out of bed onto the floor. Thus awakened, they could hear the cries of fire raised by the bystanders and lose no time in getting to safety. </div> <bR> <div> In the morning, just as the sun was rising, reveille was held on the Hill where the flagpole now stands. Every man answered to his name and the authorities had the relief of knowing that the school had passed through such a fire without the loss of a single life. </div> <bR> <div> With the entire establishment burned down, the Corps was furloughed from November 24, 1904 until January 10, 1905. During this time, a frame structure was erected. The Cadet Corps returned from furlough in early January 1905 and in this building, school was held from January 10 until June 15 of the same year. </div> <bR> <div> Construction of the South Barracks was begun on March 1, 1905, and the building was completed on October 1, only 214 days in construction. This was remarkably great speed, and in order to accomplish the task over one hundred workmen kept busy day and night, working with the aid of large lights.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1f5b0020.jpg" border=0 width="432" height="258" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>South Barracks</B></div> <bR> <div> From this point on the development of SMA was rapid. The Mess Hall was constructed in 1913 on the site of the original mess hall, a frame building commonly known as "The Wing." In 1918, construction of the North Barracks was completed. By the 1930's, the SMA campus also boasted Kable Hall, Memorial Hall, West Barracks, and the Superintendent's home.  In November 1966, Tullidge Hall, was dedicated and became the new Junior School.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="708" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 284 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1f664020.jpg" border=0 width="356" height="258" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Kable Hall</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1f7c3020.jpg" border=0 width="451" height="258" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Memorial Hall</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 286 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1f85e040.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="260" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Superintendent's House</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1f9b6020.jpg" border=0 width="438" height="258" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Tullidge Hall</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> In 1917, the Academy became an official unit of the Junior Unit of the Reserve Officer's Training Corps (JROTC) Program. Two First Sergeants, regular Army, were assigned for duty at SMA to provide military instruction. Unfortunately, Colonel Kable died three years later, and his three children were named to the Board of Trustees that would run the school until 1973.</div> <bR> <div> SMA survived the Great Depression and later prospered, becoming one of the country's most prestigious military preparatory schools. Situated on the Hill and almost bursting 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. </div> <bR> <div> 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, in the early 1970s the economic recession proved to be the knockout blow as inflation and unemployment became the top internal enemies of the country.</div> <bR> <div> Faced with the declining situation, the Kable family elected to sell their academy rather than convert to a non-profit status. 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 that probably represented the best real estate purchase in the history of Staunton and Augusta County, Virginia.</div> <bR> <div> Some of SMA's more notable alumni include Senator Barry Goldwater, his two sons, Michael and Barry, Jr. (Barry Jr. who would become a U.S. Representative, roomed with John Dean of Watergate infamy); former Postmaster General Mel Blount; World War II Navy "Ace of Aces" and Medal of Honor recipient, David McCampbell; John Fisher, former chairman of the board of Ball Corporation; Walter Taylor, owner of Taylor Wines, and countless other in sports, military and the arts. </div> <bR> <div> Today, many of the buildings where SMA cadets lived and learned are still used by Mary Baldwin. The sign, "SMA Mess Hall" still hangs over the entrance to the building that was built in 1913 and is a National Historic Landmark. And, in a bit of irony, 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.</div> <bR> <div> Fortunately, the college and the SMA Alumni Association have forged a strong relationship. Former cadets, through the alumni association and individual efforts, have established scholarships that assist students in the VWIL program and help to perpetuate the legacy of SMA. At all VWIL parades, the VWIL Color Guard carries the colors of Staunton Military Academy. Together, the SMA Alumni Association, Mary Baldwin College and the VWIL Program have established an museum in the old SMA supply room to preserve and tell the story of these two proud military institutions. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ¥<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>¥<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>¥<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>  </div> <div> After the death of Colonel William G. Kable in 1920, Colonel Thomas H. Russell, formerly head of the Academic Department, became Superintendent, which position he occupied until his death in 1933. </div> <div> Following is the list of SMA Superintendents::</div> <bR> <div> <B>Captain William H. Kable </B>(1860 - 1912)</div> <div> <B>Colonel William G. Kable </B>(1912 - 1920)</div> <div> <B>Colonel Thomas H. Russell </B>(1920 - 1933)</div> <div> <B>Colonel Leroy L. Sutherland </B>(1933 - 1934)</div> <div> <B>Mr. Robert T. Hall </B>(1934 - 1935) </div> <div> <B>Colonel Emory J. Middour </B>(1935 - 1941) </div> <div> <B>Colonel E.R. Warner McCabe</B> (1941 - 1943)</div> <div> <B>Brigadier General Earl McFarland</B> (1943 -1949)</div> <div> <B>Major General Wilton B. Persons </B>(1949 - 1951)</div> <div> <B>Colonel Homer W. Jones </B>(1951 - 1952)</div> <div> <B>Colonel Harrison S. Dey</B> (1953 - 1973)</div> <div> <B>Colonel W. Crawford Moon </B>(1973 - 1974)</div> <bR> <div> In addition to the Superintendents as set out above, the following Superintendents occupied the position for a short time:</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>Major R. W. Wonson</B> </div> <div> <B>Colonel S. S. Pitcher</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>SMA School History Links</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="422" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="193"><div> <A HREF="history5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Loeffler Obit"><U><B>Loeffler Obit</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00><NOBR><div> <A HREF="history6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SMA Alumni Association"><U><B>SMA Alumni Association</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00 HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="history7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rest of the Story"><U><B>The Rest of the Story</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00 WIDTH="210"><div> <A HREF="smalogo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SMA Cadet Logo"><U><B>SMA Cadet Logo</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="193"><div> <A HREF="http://silkscape.com/SMA/smaghost.htm#cacy" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://silkscape.com/SMA/smaghost.htm#ca"><U><B>SMA Ghosts</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00 WIDTH="210"><div> <A HREF="http://www.sma-alumni.org/hallfame.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.sma-alumni.org/hallfame.htm"><U><B>SMA Hall of Fame</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="193"><div> <A HREF="howierifles.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Howie Rifles"><U><B>Howie Rifles</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#00FF00 WIDTH="210"><div> <A HREF="honor.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honor School"><U><B>Honor School</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>This is a living document, contributions from visitors to this site are welcome.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Send comments or historical contributions to: <A HREF="mailto:webmaster@sma-alumni.org?cc=SMAOffice@sma-alumni.org&subject=SMA School History" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:webmaster@sma-alumni.org?cc=SMAOf"><U>webmaster@sma-alumni.org</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="09114160.gif" border=0 width="20" height="22" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>