Culver Military Academy

Culver Military Academy was founded in 1894 by Mr. H. H. Culver, a genrous and philanthropic citizen of St. Louis, Mo. with a view of helping the boys of the present day to secure the education which woulf best fit them for college or university, or for an honorable and useful business career Mr. Culver died September 26, 1897, deeply lamented by all who knew him, and especially by the officers and cadets of the the academy. But the work he had so wisely begun has been taken up where he left it by Mrs. Culver and her sons, who desire to make it the fittest monument they could erect to the memory of the boble founder.

Mr. Culver was a unique character, strong, forceful, having a good buisness sense and a genius for weatth. he was the founder of the Wrough Iron range company, of St. louis, Mo. He came to Lake Maxinkuckee in 1881 and purchased 300 acres situated about the north end of the lake. He foresaw at once the possiblities of making the lake a great public benefit.

There would be a great sumer resort, a beuatiful town, and with him lay the work of developing the large tract into which he had com in possession.

Several plans formulated themselves in his mind, but the one that seemed the most pratical and practicabnle was the establishment of a school for boys and young men under a military rule, than which no better system was ever devised for the American youth. The wisdom of his planning has been fully justified by the results. It is doubtful which is the greater monument to his foresight, business sense and energy - the school or the great business which he established and promoted so successfully throughout the undited States.

As the sequel abundantly proves. Mr. culver had not wrought alone. when the busy hand of the founder was still then was demonstrated the fact that Mrs. Culver had stood with her husband in all their enterprises and they had given their sons a business education which was a practical partnership in the business and this great enterprise. Mr. Culver Laid the foundation for wealth and enterprise and the mother and sone are the master bulders.

The monetary value of the institution is one-half million of dollars. The buildings in which the cadets are quartered consist of four large fireproof barracks, with accomodations for 300 students, under the supervision of academy officers, located on each floor. The central or main barricks was erected in the summer of 1895, the west in 1897, the east in 1899, the annex in 1900, and the south barracks in 1904, to keep pace with the constant and steady growth of the school

The material entering into the construction is brick, stone, steel and iron, woth only the floors, windows, and doors made of wood. The floors are laid upon a bed of concrete nine inches thick, so that it is impossible for the buildings to be injured by fire. All the barracks are finished in hard wood, heated by steam, lighted by electricity and have hot and cold water, baths, lavatories and toilet conveniences, such as are found in a modern hotel. Addional to the barracks are severl other very remarkable buildings. There has been erected a gymnasium, which is not only unusual in size, but in which the

Pictures of Culver family - Beginnign with the elldest as indicated by size these young gentleman are Harnry S., Walter L. and Maughs M. Culver, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Walte L. Culver and grandson of Mr and Mrs. H. H. Culver. Mr. H. H. Culver - Founder of Culver Military Academy

architects, after careful study, have embodied the best features to be founf in the most complete gymnasiums in the country . It is constructed in the Tudor-Gothis style of architecture. The main gymnasium hall is 75X140 feet. There is nothing lacking in the completion of this structure for the purpose of drill, exercises, health, and pleasure, and all of thises several items of execellence on the largest scale

In this "West Point' of the west is one of the large riding halls of the world. The plans for this structure were drawn for
the largest and most complete building of the kind in America. it was completed in 1898, and is built of stone,brick, steel and slate. The hall is 104 feeet wide and 212 feet long, the poderous girders reaching a span of 104 feet, leasving the whole interior of the ground floor a mammoth amphitheater, suffcient to maneuver 60 horses. The dome of the arched roof is 50 feet above the floor, and the tower of the building rises to 100 feet above the lake, furnishing a delightful view of the lake and surrounding country.

At the head of this institutuion is a scholar and linquist Col. A. F. Fleet, A.M., LL.D. He is a graduate of the university of Virginia, was 11 years professor of Greek in the Missouri State University, and for the period of 15 years he has been engaged as superintendent of the Missouri Military School and of the Culver Military Academy. In this latter schol he had been superintendent 11 years. Col. Fleet recieved more than an ordinary wuqipment for his great works as an educator. Additional to his university culture and his long and varied experience in the class room as a teacher of the languages, in which he has sepnt more than 20 years, he spent nearly a year in Greece studing the ancient and modern language, was several years manager of the American School of classical Studies of Athens, and a member of the committe of ten to consider the place of Greek in the secondary schools. Personally Col. Fleet's presence is prepossessing. His amiability is without fault. He is clothed with native and quiet dignity, which is not sevre, but unapproachable with undue familiarity. The last analysis of a chance meeting or a long personal acquaintance, is that he is 'a born gentleman'.

In the academy there are 21 instructors. Thes instructors are nearly all university men, and ten of the greatest schools in America are represented, besides the University of Heidelberg and the sorbonne. This is not a denominational school, but nearly every denomination is represented in the faculty.

The Cadet corps is made up of 300 members. these are organized into four companies - A, B, C, and D - consisting the battalion. The cadets wear the regulation uniform and when they appear on parade there in nothing in this American world that is more inspiring. The military drill is as precise, thorough and as extensive as in the regular army.

Prosective patrons are referred to the catalogue of the institution which, let it be said here and now, is certainly the finest and most complete school in the country. The commandant, Maj. L. R. Gignilliat, who has in charge the construction of the catalogue. This, however, is not the only mark of this scholarly man. he is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and has been nine years the commandant in the Culver Military Academy. By nature and culture he is fitted for the place as military commander. He is a strict disciplinarian, but is not a martinet. About him is the air of a southern gentleman, than which no higher type exists. He is not lacking in geniality, and his manner indicates, as it induces, care and self-possession.

As it seems to an observer, the most popular department of the military academy is the cavalry. The infantry formation is splendid and presents a fine appearance, but the cavalry attracts the most attention and has the favored place in the public programmes. The celebrated black horse troop sustains its fame and prestige as a military feature from the time Troop 'A' appeared in the inaugural of President McKinley. The good common sense and wisdom of the trustees of Culver Military Academy was exemplified when they secured the serivces of Capt. H. J. Noble, late Fourth United States cavalry, as cavalry instructor. Capt Noble is perfectly at home on the back of a horse. He is a skilled rider and is equally skilled in cavalry tactics.