Main Barracks Culver Military Academy

When the Main Barrack opened in Sept. of 1895 and it replaced the first CMA building, the Culver Park Hotel, which had burnt in February 1895. It's construction time of eight months was remarkable feat.

H. H. Culver had hired architect Albert Knell, and while both men were enroute to Culver by train they laid out the basic design for Main Barrack. They envisioned a three-story structure of "brick, stone, steel, and iron".

It took seven months to construct and fine tune between the two men.

The contract was awarded to John E. Barnes of Logansport to construct a brick barracks, the first permanent building on the campus.

The cornerstone for Main Barracks was laid May 16^th and the build was ready to be occupied on September 24^th.

Main Barrack housed 90 cadets, had a dining room, class rooms, offices, infirmary, library, and power plant "Dynamo Room". It is one of the oldest buildings on campus. Main Barrack is home to the Culver Artillery

Central Main Barrack and its Engine Annex which housed coal-fired boilers to produce steam to heat the barrack and drive electric generators] was erected these buildings were designed by architect, Albert Knell of Baker and Knell [of St. Louis].

This "Dynamo Room" or "Engine Annex" contained a power plant that produced heat and generated electricity for the campus.

The fuel of course was coal being shipped in by railroad - thus a rail spur ran through the heart of the campus directly to the rear of Main Barrack This unsightly railroad track and the coal dump remained on the main campus until after the Mess Hall was built in 1911 and new power plant (now the Music and Arts Building ) was constructed in 1912

1903 - The 4th floor was added onto the Main Barracks - this being solely for academic purposes, and containing a drafting room, physical laboratory, chemical laboratory, biological laboratory, Y. M. C. A. room, chemical and physical lecture rooms, dentist's office, barber shop, and dark room for amateur photographers. In June of 1903, an agreement with the construction firm of J. E.. Barnes and Sons of Logansport was signed for $14,225.70. A materials drawing account was set up on Aug. 29, and by the end of September, construction was underway. Albert Knell was the designer and engineer. A survey of the 1895 power plant in the Engine Annex was made. Bradley and Co. of St. Louis], recommended a major up-grades including new boilers, engines, and a dynamo and new Westinghouse Electric Company switchboard. Barnes and Sons was given the contract to remodeling the Annex. The water tank was also inadequate to supply campus needs and the roof possibly could not with stand any additional weight. A tower and larger water tank the hill just south of the new gymnasium was constructed by Fairbanks, Morse and Company [of St. Louis]. Barnes and Sons did the site preparation for the foundation and Bradley and Co. done the plumbing to connect the water lines from the Annex to the campus building.

2022 - Demolition of Main Barracks - The original building was dismantled last fall . Construction crews removed some of the quintessential limestone pieces above the doors from the original building, an eagle emblem, a “CMA” and the cornerstone. Those distinctive architectural elements will be incorporated into the new building to keep that iconic feel everyone associated with Culver is passionate about.

A Part of the Robert Rseidential Quad - architectural renderings:	Aerial view
Main

2022-2023 - Construction of Main Barracks; the new foundation was laid. Steel beams are being raised into place now. Main Barrack will house three units, 176 cadets, three apartments for resident directors, and housing for fellows. The building is scheduled to open in June 2024 for summer camp.

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