The following unedited report was provided by Ned Bonfoey, former teacher, coach, and Commandant of cadets at SMA (1969 - 1973). We are all grateful to Lolo Kable Bonfoey for providing Ned with access to the SMA records so that the school's history is not lost and may be shared with others.

Staunton Military Academy was founded in the year in 1860, by William Hartman Kable (1837-1912) at Charles Town, Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia). Shortly after the school was founded, the war between the states broke out and William H. Kable joined the Confederate Army, fought throughout the war with the rank of Captain, had a distinguished military career, and was a gallant Confederate soldier. After the war, Captain Kable re-established his school at its original location, and conducted it most successfully at that location, until he determined to remove it to Staunton, Virginia, where it had a more desirable location and more advantageous surroundings. The school was removed to Staunton in the year 1884, at which time its present site was acquired by Captain Kable.

At that time the residence was the only building; however, a one-story building was erected on the site of the South Barracks, which consisted of a large school room surrounded by and giving access to a number of class rooms. (Note - At this time the school was named Kable Military Academy, later to be changed to Staunton Military Academy.)

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, and had in its basement a large room which was used for drilling in inclement weather, and for a gymnasium, and in which also all social functions of the school were conducted.

The school house was afterwards destroyed by fire, and subsequent to that, the barracks building was also destroyed by fire. Thereupon, the South Barracks, as it now stands, was erected on the site of these two buildings thus destroyed.

Captain William Hartman 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. He died in 1912. Prior to 1912, Captain William Hartman Kable had turned over to his son, Colonel William Gibbs Kable (1872-1920), the management of the academy.

From the time that Colonel William G. Kable took over the management of the Academy until his death in 1920, the school grew and prospered in an eminent degree and was placed by Colonel Kable in an outstanding position among the educational institutions of its type, which position it has maintained and enhanced. Colonel William G. Kable was a genius in school building and in school management.

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.

At the present time, Brigadier General Earl McFarland, United States Army, Retired, is Superintendent. He was elected to this office in 1943, and under his able and efficient management, the Academy continues its advancement along all lines.